EACOP RESPECTS HUMAN RIGHTS, DIGNITY AND CULTURE OF INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Ltd, in respect of the traditions and culture of Project Affected Persons (PAPs), is today signing a Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) agreement with the Wataturu community of Mwamayoka village in Igunga District, in Tanzania.

The Pipeline right of way was due to impact a number of graves – Bung’eda – and sacred sites of the Taturu community. The community was concerned about this impact given the significance and importance of these sites to their culture and ancestry.   After discussions with the community and their traditional leaders, EACOP undertook a technical review and agreed to reroute the pipeline to avoid any impact on these important sites.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, The General Manager, EACOP in Tanzania, Ms. Wendy Brown highlighted that EACOP respects the rights and traditions of all Vulnerable Ethnic Groups Self-identifying as Indigenous Peoples.  EACOP continues to engage with all project-affected communities and their traditional leaders to ensure that their feedback is considered throughout the planning and implementation of the project.

This FPIC Agreement is the second to be signed by EACOP and is an expression of the EACOP project’s approach to engaging with and addressing impacts on Vulnerable Ethnic Groups Self-Identifying as Indigenous Peoples in a manner that is culturally appropriate and respects national and international human rights standards.  It is also an expression of the community’s acceptance of and consent to the activities of the EACOP project in their community in consideration of the commitments outlined in the EACOP Framework for Vulnerable Ethnic Groups Self-Identifying as Indigenous Peoples (EACOP Framework) and further elaborated in the EACOP Plan for Vulnerable Ethnic Groups Self-Identifying as Indigenous Peoples (EACOP Plan).

The EACOP Project is implemented in compliance with international human rights, social and environmental standards. In line with the IFC Performance Standard 5, 10 Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs) have been developed for the Tanzania section and reviewed by the Government of Tanzania. PAPs are provided monetary compensation at full replacement value. Eligible PAPs, with particular attention to the vulnerable, are provided with in kind compensation including bank accounts, transitional support (food baskets), relocation support when necessary and access to livelihood restoration programs, aimed at restoring livelihoods.