MEANINGFUL CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT IN THE EXTRACTIVES SECTOR KEY FOR DEVELOPMENT


There can be nothing for us without us-this is the most important aspect of governance and service delivery. As citizens, we give Government two things, votes and taxes and we expect is adequate quality services therefore, in terms of governance, the definition of a tax is different; it is quid pro quo as we always ensure we demand for what belongs to us. The oil, minerals and other extractives are here, but who cares about the citizens who will be affected by the extraction and development of the minerals?
According to the National Development Plan 2, and the Vision 2040, oil and gas and other minerals are seen as the major financiers of the economy by 2040. What this means is that we must invest heavily in order to reach this target but most importantly, investing in engaging the citizens who are both the financiers (tax payers) and ultimate beneficiaries. But there is much more to this; the bigger question of whose oil is this? To some, the oil is seen to belong to the President who has continually referred to it as “my oil” allegedly discovered in 2000s whereas reports indicate it was indeed discovered in the 1930s. There is no need for a debate on this, the natural resources belong to the citizens and government only holds them in trust of the public!

What we can’t run away from is the fact that we need robust administration of the extractives sector and without it, it may end up an enigma. Oil is never a curse-rather our bad governance renders it a curse. This therefore means that as a country we must be deliberate and particular about oil governance issues such as Citizen Participation and engagement along the value chain, decision making, establishment and Revenue Management.
Public participation is the golden thread in the fabric of any democracy which without it, the system is bound to fail! It goes beyond “involving” and “consulting” to ensuring that all citizens-whether the project affected ones (PAPs) or not engage in how their natural resource is governed. This ranges from access to information relating the oil production such as Production Sharing Agreements, Environmental Impact Assessments, Compensation rates, to knowing their rights and entitlements among others.
We have witnessed in the past in the Albertine grabben citizens crying loss of land and property, delayed compensation struggles to re-settle. Sadly, the owners of the oil-the citizens have been accused severally for being anti-development whenever they raise their concerns and Government seems to take citizens only as victims and not as a resource that have much to contribute in shaping the governance of the country’s natural resources. But again, whose development is it? Is it for the developers, government or some individuals---if indeed this is to benefit every Ugandan, then involving them in all processes is vital.

As Citizens, there can be nothing for us without us! We must be part of the processes that are seemingly designed for us! If the oil is to benefit us, then let us be involved right from the start. We all need to work together to ensure we avert the curse that may befall us! Government now needs to secure land (289km) 20% of the 1,445km East Africa Crude oil pipeline corridor by June 2018 to ensure that oil is pumped out by 2020. Whereas this is a good dream, there is need to address all the administrative glitches other than repealing Article 26 to curb delays in acquisition of the. It is further estimated that this will create 10,000jobs, but, how many people are aware of this? Who is preparing/skilling them for the jobs? Who is preparing them for the environmental and social impact of the pipeline? Who is sharing with them the right compensation rates? These questions invoke citizen engagement at all stages of the establishment of the oil pipeline and until we are intentional about public participation in oil and gas sector, we shall be doing a thankless job of fetching water in a basket.
Oil has never been a curse, our bad governance invites the curse and thus, let’s work towards good natural resource governance!


Michael Aboneka Jr

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