Tullow Oil is expected to resume drilling in Turkana after the resolution of a dispute whereby the local community held protests for more than a month leading to the disruption of the transportation of crude oil to Mombasa.
Transportation of the commodity was halted last month following increased protests by the residents who are demanding for security, jobs, tenders, and a fair share of proceeds from the oil. The pilot scheme currently trucks nearly 600 barrels of oil per day from Lokichar to Coast before a pipeline is built, is expected to be operational in the next four years.
“Following a consultative meeting held between the Government of Kenya and Tullow Kenya BV, it was agreed that the operations of the ongoing oil development in Turkana County commence forthwith without undue delay.” read a statement from the ministry of Petroleum & Mining signed by the Chief Administrative Secretary, Eng. John Mosonik.
“The Contractor (Tullow Oil) dispatched an advance team on Monday, 5th August 2018 to Turkana County. The Government has further resolved to establish a two-tiered system framework that will provide communities living in Turkana county and Tullow Oil with avenues for addressing any emerging issues and concerns.” the statement read further.
The government announced early last week that it was is looking to sign an MoU in a bid to end the dispute. The MoU is expected to address concerns such as regulatory framework for community engagement and local content development. Eng Mosonik further claimed that losses incurred during the standoff were about to hit a 1 billion mark then.
