Land Acquisition Agreement Signing in Tabora, Tanzania – Launching Event

In the presence of the Minister of Energy Dr. Medard Kalemani and the Project Affected Persons (PAPs), the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Project and Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) have together launched the Priority Areas Compensation Agreements signing exercise in Sojo village, Nzega district, Tabora region.

This is a landmark, being the first land acquired for the Project. It follows the signing of the Tanzania Host Government Agreement on 20th May 2021, which stipulates that Project required land will remain under Government ownership and be leased to the EACOP Project.

The EACOP project will ensure that all households affected by the land acquisition process are compensated in line with both the Laws of Tanzania and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards. Each Compensation Agreement sets out the package of entitlements, both monetary and where appropriate in kind, including transitional support packages, replacement housing and access to livelihood restoration programs. Access to land will only take place after due payment of compensation and the notice to vacate served to the PAPs.

Land is necessary to construct and operate the Pipeline and its related facilities. The Project has developed and disclosed nine Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs) for Tanzania. As part of the RAP process, the Project has carried out land delineation surveys, asset inventory and valuation, socioeconomic surveys, field validation and multiple stakeholder engagements with the impacted communities and households.

EACOP has established a Grievance mechanism whereby stakeholders may register any Project related grievances through their respective Community Relations Coordinators (CRCs), email, toll free numbers1, Project and Project Contractors’ offices as well as local authority offices.

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Project and the Government of Tanzania shall continue to work together towards a successful implementation of the EACOP Project.