Songosongo: RESIDENTS of Songo Songo Ward in Kilwa District, Lindi Region have a reason to smile following the proper implementation of Petroleum Act No. 21 of 2015 and its regulations, which enables them to benefit from the natural gas operations that take place in their locality.
A recent visit by officials from the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) at the Songosongo Ward revealed how the gas companies that operate in the area foster development in various key sectors such as education, health and water through corporate social responsibility (CSR).
PanAfrican Energy Tanzania’s Community Development Officer, Ms Tula David, told reporters that the gas company operating in Songosongo has handed over a newly constructed health centre worth 900m/- to the government, ready to provide health services to the residents.
According to her, the facility, which encompasses an outpatient department (OPD), theater, mortuary, laboratory, and maternal ward, has been built as part of the company’s CSR.
In education, she added, the company has funded the construction of a girls’ dormitory and a laboratory at Songosongo Secondary School.
“Apart from health, we also offer sponsorships to the best students from secondary school level to university. Several students from Songosongo are beneficiaries of this offer,” Tula added.
Kwigema Anthony, a Community Development Officer with the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), said that as part of its CSR, the state-owned organisation is planning to upgrade the Songosongo water project to have the capacity to supply 100,000 litres freely to wananchi on a daily basis.
“Currently, the project is capable of supplying only 60,000 litres per day. To meet the current demand, we are planning to upgrade it,” she said.
She also mentioned that the residents of Songosongo receive free electricity service, and TPDC, in collaboration with other stakeholders, has formed a committee to improve the service.
Kwigema added that since Songosongo is an island, TPDC offers free air transport to critical patients who are referred to the district or other hospitals.
Speaking on the project implementation modality, Songosongo Ward Councillor Hassan Yusuph said that before the gas companies implement their respective CSR projects in the area, they consult with the local government to understand its priorities.
“Initially, the companies decided to implement projects that were not in our plans… for instance, at a time when we had a shortage of classrooms, they came up with a project to renovate classrooms.
“We thank PURA for coming up with regulations to be followed when executing CSRs. Before they do anything, they have to consult with us,” he said.
Zena Rajab, a Form Four student at Songosongo Secondary School, said that a fully equipped laboratory building constructed by PanAfrican Energy is helping aspiring future scientists realise their dreams.
“We can now conduct various practical experiments at this facility… through what I’m learning here, I aspire to become a doctor to serve my community in the future,” she said.
Desmond Risso, who represented PURA’s director general, said that the regulator has been impressed by the reports of the implementation status of various projects in Songosongo, promising to address the challenges unveiled during the tour.
According to Mr Risso, PURA, in collaboration with other stakeholders, is working on procedures that will allow wananchi to benefit more from resources surrounding their vicinity.
Section 222 (1) of the Petroleum Act, 2015, states that a gas licence holder and a contractor shall, on an annual basis, prepare a credible corporate social responsibility plan jointly agreed upon by the relevant local government authority or local government authorities.
The Act emphasises that the plans should consider environmental, social, economic, and cultural activities based on the local government priorities of the host community.
