OIL COMPANIES TASKED WITH PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
‘’We care about the environment and have put in place a number of avenues to ensure the environment is protected in their areas of operation,’’ said Wany.
By Flavia Ajok
HOIMA: Oil companies operating in the Bunyoro subregion have been tasked with ensuring appropriate environmental protection as oil activities boom.
The task was made yesterday during the belated World Environmental Day celebration for oil and gas sectors held at Kabalega Resort Hotel Hoima under the theme “Stop plastic pollution today and protect nature.”
Speaking as the chief guest, Phillip Katahoire, the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom Minister for External Affairs, said that the protection, promotion, and conservation of the environment in the Albertine region and country at large are very important as oil and gas activities flourish in the region.
Katahoire said that there is a need for critical policies to be put in place by the oil companies, government, and Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom to ensure that Ugandans do not pollute the environment.
He stressed that much focus should be put on plastic pollution that is currently a threat to the environment, saying proper disposal of plastics should be ensured if the environment is to be protected.
The Hoima City Deputy Mayor, Sylvia Nalumaga, revealed that 80% of the garbage collected in Hoima City is plastic.
Nalumaga said their dream of making organic manure out of the garbage collected from the city is still a challenge because of plastic pollution.
She noted that the issue of plastic pollution is a complex one that requires a multi-faceted approach involving the government, businesses, and individuals. By working together, it is possible to reduce the amount of plastic waste in Hoima City and protect the environment for future generations.
Wany Hai Youg from CNOOC Uganda explained that as CNOOC, they care about the environment and have put in place a number of avenues to ensure the environment is protected in their areas of operation.
‘’We care about the environment and have put in place a number of avenues to ensure the environment is protected in their areas of operation,’’ said Wany.
Amos Mwasse from Total Energies said that the Tilenga project they are implementing has environment protection at heart and thus called upon stakeholders to work as a team towards the theme’s implementation.
Benson Chiche, the Acting Hoima LCV Chairperson, has spoken out against people who are responsible for degrading the environment, saying that some know its dangers but do it intentionally.
The situation in Hoima and other parts of the world is a reminder of the urgent need to address environmental degradation and its impact on human life.
Isaac Ntuju, the head of oil and gas at the national environmental management authority, called for pro-activeness in saving the environment.
Ntuju said a circular economy is an economic system that aims to eliminate waste and promote the continual use of resources by keeping them in use for as long as possible.
He added that the adoption of a circular economy to manage plastics is an important step towards reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainable waste management practices.
The function was graced by all the oil companies, partners, and leaders from Nwoya district, among other stakeholders.
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