DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr. Dotto Biteko, has expressed satisfaction with the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project for successfully implementing the local content policy.

Speaking before the Parliamentary Committee on Energy and Minerals, Dr. Biteko highlighted that the government is pleased with how strategic projects, including EACOP, have provided Tanzanians with priority employment opportunities, thus economically empowering them.

“It is crucial for Tanzanians to benefit from large energy sector projects in the country, especially through the employment opportunities they create,” said Dr. Biteko.

He also commended the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) for its effective oversight in ensuring the implementation of employment opportunities for locals in major energy sector projects, including EACOP, which involves transporting crude oil from Kabaale, Hoima District in Uganda, to the port of Chongoleani in Tanga for the international market.

Dr. Biteko acknowledged that EWURA has played a key role in ensuring the successful implementation of local participation guidelines, enabling Tanzanians to secure employment in the  large projects.

“It is something to be proud of to see large projects like EACOP prioritising Tanzanians for employment as part of the local content policy, which economically empowers our people,” he said.

He emphasised that the government will continue to engage with stakeholders in the energy sector to strengthen local participation in ongoing and future projects.

The EACOP project has provided numerous employment opportunities for Tanzanians, including local contractors offering services throughout the project. It has also ensured priority employment for people from local communities, with unskilled jobs primarily given to individuals living near the project areas, which span across eight regions and 24 districts in the country.

The project, which involves laying pipelines for crude oil transportation, spans a total of 1,443 kilometers, with 1,147 kilometers in Tanzania and 296 kilometers in Uganda.

The government holds a 15percent stake in the EACOP project through the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC). Other shareholders include Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), with a 15percent stake; China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), with an 8percent stake; and TotalEnergies, with a 62percent stake.