Community Recommendations

The following section is a categorised summary of the recommendations made by the 29 communities interviewed. A matrix of the categorised recommendations made by communities can be found in Appendix II. 6.1.1 Education and Training

All the communities the assessment team spoke to recommended that improved education and skills upgrading was essential in order to gain from the industry. Some communities suggested that the establishment of a vocational college was needed to provide training in skills needed for the petroleum industry. Others recommended that companies build schools – nursery, primary and secondary – in or near communities where they operate.

Another common recommendation was that companies provide educational bursaries for poorer children and orphans and scholarships for Senior 4 and 6 students that perform well. Many communities requested that companies provide scholastic materials (e.g. text books) to schools in their area and that government recruit more teachers into existing schools to improve the quality of education.

Some communities also recommended that companies build brick fences around schools, support local schools to start agricultural projects, and provide iron sheets to upgrade school buildings and houses. Others proposed that government introduce adult literacy education. 6.1.2 Health

The majority of communities interviewed recommended that companies construct health centres equipped with modern facilities and operating theatres. Some communities requested companies to build fences around health centres in their area and government to supply drugs. Many women focus groups suggested that companies build maternity clinics. The request that

companies donate ambulances to health centres was also raised in by several communities.

Some communities requested that companies support local HIV/AIDS awareness programs. One way they suggested doing so was to regulate their workers’ behaviour by prohibiting late night visits into the communities.

One community suggested that the oil company operating in their area provide spectacles to community members that have difficulty reading due to poor vision. A couple of communities close to wildlife conservation areas where petroleum exploration was taking place requested companies to provide medicines that treat wildlife-related diseases.

6.1.3 Infrastructure

Communities recommended that bitumen roads be constructed to connect them to other villages and towns. They also proposed the improvement of murram roads such as those between Rukungiri and Ishasha, Kihiihi and the junction of the Katunguru-Ishasha road, Nyabang and Pateng, among others. Some communities requested the construction of bridges by companies, such as the Vur-Ondiek Bridge. One community recommended that the company in their area improve roads within a 10 kilometre radius of the company camp. In addition, many communities proposed that electricity be extended to their communities because of their proximity to petroleum exploration activities.

6.1.4 Water and Sanitation

Water was a particular concern for communities as many respondents were of the opinion that the oil discovery would lead to contaminated water or wells drying up. Therefore, many communities recommended that new boreholes are drilled and existing ones repaired by the oil companies. Other communities requested companies to provide piped water as well as public and mobile toilets. 6.1.5 Local Economic Development

Almost all communities recommended that government and companies support local livelihoods and economic development. Some suggested that this could be achieved by government and companies creating markets for locally produced goods and services. Companies were requested to offer community members some contracts to supply goods (e.g. construction material, foods and beverages, etc) and services (e.g. accommodation, truck hire, etc).

Many communities recommended specific support to agriculture such as the provision of seeds, tractors, ox ploughs, exotic cattle breeds (Friesian), milk coolers, loans to cattle farmers, and training for famers to improve farming methods. Others proposed that companies offer low-interest, interest-free business loans or grants to women groups, youth groups and local entrepreneurs. There was also a suggestion that government provide

grants to the communities that are impacted by the petroleum industry. In addition, a few communities suggested that that companies initiate income-generating projects for the youth (e.g. fish farming, piggeries, and bee keeping) or support existing projects initiated by youth with various skills (e.g. cosmetology, tailoring, catering, and driving). Another related proposal was for companies to organise youth conferences on alternative livelihood options.

Some communities proposed that government attract industries to their area so as to increase employment opportunities. One community recommended that government supports the community to identify their needs and to have development plans for the area. A recommendation from one community was that companies construct a petrol station in their village for easy access to fuel and another community suggested that the company provide free fuel to the community. Several communities recommended that, once companies have completed their operations, they donate redundant equipment and infrastructure (e.g. buildings) to communities in that area. They believed camp buildings could be converted into health centre structures or community halls.

6.1.6 Compensation and Displacement

Issues around compensation featured in almost every community. Most communities recommended improvements in the compensation process, especially an increase in the rates for crops destroyed because current rates were deemed inadequate. Some communities proposed that government should always intervene to ensure appropriate compensation from the company for crops destroyed. Requests for a fair, timely and transparent compensation process at market rates were also common. Some communities also proposed that compensation payments be made monthly to help people manage their money better.

Some communities fearful of displacement during the petroleum project cycle requested that government develop a resettlement plan in advance. Others proposed that government construct permanent houses and provide free transport and monthly allowances to community members negatively impacted by the petroleum industry.

6.1.7 Information and Communication

Many communities raised the need for improved information flows and recommended that government and companies should ensure clear, regular and adequate information flow to communities. One way they suggested this could happen was by companies establishing liaison or coordinating offices in communities so that local people have easier access to information and contact with companies. Another way was by companies improving the flow of information to communities through their CLOs. Another suggestion was that companies disseminate information through mass media, LC I

Chairpersons, and sub-county offices.

Some communities suggested that a MoU between companies and communities should be established to guide the relationship. Others recommended that the LC I Chairperson be designated the official link between the company and local people and that he/she actively mobilises the community to engage with the company more effectively.

Many communities made recommendations targeted at central and local government. One common recommendation was that central government hold meetings with communities to provide information and hear their interests. Another recommendation was that reports, such as those for various EIAs, be made available by government and companies to local people in local languages. There was also the suggestion that respective local governments mobilise and sensitise communities on the different stages of petroleum exploration and make it clear where communities could participate and benefit. Another recommendation was that, in order to build trust, central government should ensure transparency at all levels of the petroleum industry.

Few recommendations were made directly to CSOs, but one was that they should harmonise their attitudes and perceptions on oil in order to avoid giving conflicting information to communities.

6.1.8 Stakeholder Engagement

Several recommendations were made on how government and companies should engage with communities around where petroleum exploration is taking place. One common recommendation was that companies should carry out consultations with communities prior to commencing operations in order to better understand community needs and expectations. Another suggestion was that local communities should be engaged in all stages of the industry, especially in planning meetings organised by companies, local and central governments. Some communities also suggested a more active role for local governments in the regulation and monitoring of the petroleum industry and that local leaders had a responsibility to prepare the community to demand for services from companies.

One community recommended that the company in their area respect traditional by-laws such as dress codes and discourage their workers from dressing indecently. Another community expressed concern about the potential for ethnic conflict in the future and recommended the importance of fostering cooperation between various ethnic groups where petroleum exploration was taking place. They also recommended that companies and government consult cultural leaders so that they provide leadership and advice to their respective communities. One other recommendation was that community prayer sessions on benefits from oil and avoiding conflict be held in villages.

Another community proposed that companies register

community concerns and address at least 25% of them before they start their operations. There was also the suggestion that company donations to the community be delivered to the community instead of the district headquarters. One general recommendation was the establishment of a committee to guide interactions between the company, government and the community. Some communities recommended that they and their leaders should be consulted and involved in the planning and implementation of CSR projects so that companies may understand community needs and expectations and ensure community ownership of projects. Others recommended that companies implement projects they promised communities as part of their CSR strategy. 6.1.9 Environment

Some of the communities expressed environmental concerns and recommended that environmental pollution mitigation measures should be put in place by government and companies, especially in regard to the management of petroleum waste. Others recommended that the company in their area promotes community participation in the Environmental ESIA process and that government initiates measures to protect people from the potentially negative effects of population influx (e.g. pollution, displacement, HIV/AIDS).

One community recommended that government develop mitigation measures to ensure that soil does not lose fertility as a result of petroleum exploration because residents were dependent of subsistence agriculture. Another recommended that government provide food to communities neighbouring oil production areas because of their belief that land would not be productive once oil production begins.

A recommendation from one community was that the company operating in their area should use alternative technology when drilling for oil so that community activities are not interrupted. Another community proposed that tree planting be carried out by the company to replace plants destroyed during exploration activities.

6.1.10 Employment

In all communities assessed by the study team it was strongly recommended that companies prioritise local people for employment over those from outside the area. A figure of 70% of casual workers from the area was suggested by one community as being an ideal target. Further, in some communities it was felt that management level personnel could be recruited locally, rather than only casual labour. It was recommended that companies consult with the community to ascertain what skills are in the community so that semi-skilled workers are not overlooked. Some communities suggested that women and youth should have priority in employment. There was also a suggestion that companies provide information about jobs available and their terms of employment before recruitment processes start so that local people know what is available and have time to

prepare.

Proposals from various communities on what would be considered fair remuneration for unskilled jobs in the petroleum industry ranged from UGX 10,000 per day (including meals) or UGX 20,000 per day (excluding meals). They also recommended that terms of reference for workers should be clear and adhered to and requested for transparent recruitment procedures. Some felt that transparency could be achieved if the company went through their LC I Chairperson and security organisations (e.g. Internal Security Organisation, police, etc) during their recruitment process. Others recommended that recruitment be conducted by an independent entity that sought formal recommendations from LC I Chairpersons to ensure fairness and transparency.

Another community recommended that the company in their area insure workers against all dangers. There was also a recommendation that the company near one community hire workers on merit rather than on ethnic lines.

Whereas some communities expressed dissatisfaction about the ‘kalulu’ or ballot system used by the company in their area to select casual workers because the selection pool included people from other villages, one of those communities recommended that it be maintained because it did not require job seekers to present their qualifications.

6.1.11 Security

Recommendations on security were directed to both companies and government. Some communities emphasised the need for government to ensure security in the oil-bearing regions. Others were more concerned about human-wildlife conflict and proposed that companies and UWA construct a fence between communities and wildlife conservation areas. One community requested that the company provide security lights to protect them from wild animals at night.

6.1.12 Corruption

Many communities suggested that, in order to reduce the potential for corruption in the petroleum industry, the government should reduce ministerial powers. Others requested that central government deal with corrupt local leaders in order to achieve better service delivery. 6.1.13 Policy, Legal and Institutional Frameworks The recommendation that oil revenues should be shared with communities in oil-bearing areas was raised by all communities that were interviewed. Proposals on what percentage of oil revenues communities should receive ranged from 25% to 50%. However, before this could occur, some communities suggested that the government and companies would have to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of petroleum resources and revenues.

6.1.14 Community Support

All communities made a number of diverse recommendations that could not be readily assigned to any of the categories above. Therefore, the assessment team created this category to accommodate those recommendations. The vast majority of these recommendations were addressed to companies, and they included: provision of sports facilities for youth; construction of community halls or centres; construction of churches; construction of permanent houses for community members over the age of 45; donation of iron roofing sheets to households that want to upgrade from grass-thatched houses; establishment of a rescue team and donation of life jackets to fisherfolk on Lake Edward; and support for widows and orphans to start income- generating activities.