Over 500 locals recruited for strategic oil search project
ARUSHA: OVER 500 Tanzanians, including local youth from surrounding villages, have been recruited for the execution of the second phase of Eyasi–Wembere oil and gas exploration project at Endeshi Village in Karatu, Arusha.
The strategic project which has been contracted to Africa Geophysical Services (AGS), owned by locals, has entered the second phase which involves the acquisition of 2D seismic data around Lake Eyasi, where 914 kilometres of seismic lines are expected to be covered.
Speaking over the development, the Eyasi–Wembere oil and gas exploration project Manager, Mr Sindi Maduhu, said the majority of people, especially youth, recruited were from the surrounding villages such Endeshi and Matala.
Mr Maduhu, who is also TPDC’s Geophysicist, said a number of young people in the surrounding villages and suppliers have benefitted from the ongoing flagship project around Eyasi-Wembere basin which links districts from five regions.
On her part, Josephine Jumanne, a Geophysicist with the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA), said the regulator is closely monitoring the project to ensure all activities comply with the National Energy Policy of 2015 and the Petroleum Act of 2015.
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As exploration is still underway, Ms Josephine noted, PURA’s main objective was to ensure locals are fully engaged through direct and indirect employment opportunities.
Mr Joseph Lukumay, a father of two and a resident of Endeshi village who have been recruited by AGS for drilling activities, said the project has enabled him to carter for his family needs, including education.
He thanked PURA for ensuring the Local Content Policy and associated Laws and Regulations are adhered and subsequently enabling locals to benefit through jobs and tenders to supply various goods and services.
As part of preparations to acquire geological information, Mr Vincent Evance, AGS Project Manager, said the contractor was assembling boats to facilitate movement within the lake during the installation of explosives.
He noted that AGS has recruited a large number of local residents to participate in various project activities.
Karatu, where Lake Eyasi is located, is among the areas covered by the project. Other areas include Ngorongoro (Arusha), Meatu (Simiyu), Kishapu (Shinyanga), Igunga (Tabora) and Iramba-Mkalama (Singida).
Among PURA’s roles and functions in the oil and gas subsectors is to promotion local content including supporting national enterprises and Tanzanians to participate in the petroleum upstream industry and receiving and processing application for granting, renewing, suspending and cancelling of petroleum exploration license, development licence and production permit.
The regulator is also responsible for coordinating and cooperating with other government institutions, including other regulatory authorities responsible for monitoring, evaluation and review of petroleum operations.
