Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources has for the second time in a row thrown the government report on the progress in the oil sector.
Last week on Tuesday, the Committee rejected the report tabled by the Energy and Mineral Developments Minister, Irene Muloni detailing works on the development of the oil pipeline and construction of a refinery in Hoima district.
Last evening, Peter Lokeris, the Mineral State Minister returned with the same report sparking anger from the legislators. They reprimanded the minister for presenting a statement without detailed information on policies in the sector and budget for key projects and investments.
Legislators also accused the Energy Ministry for ambushing them in as far as updates on the oil and gas sector are concerned. Stephen Mukitale, the Buliisa Member of parliament accused the ministry of undermining the oversight role of parliament by presenting a rejected report.
He recounted that the speaker directed that the ministry presents a report detailing all activities being undertaken by the various ministries in relation to the sector. Mukitale wondered whether the Committee should continue interfacing with Lokeris who had nothing new to present.
In his ruling, the Committee Chairperson, Alex Byaruhanga asked the members to use the opportunity to raise more issues they want the report to address. Ann Maria Nankabirwa, the Kyankwanzi Woman MP tasked government to explain why her area is missing out on oil roads yet it is the main link between the oil rich areas and other strategic production areas.
Norah Bigirwa, the Buliisa District Woman MP expressed concern that government is still struggling to acquire land yet it has set the oil production target at 2020. She said the people in Buliisa are struggling with land grabbers and compensation for their land, which is below the market rates.
Mukitale warned that Uganda will never benefit, should it fail to place local content in the hands of Ugandans within a space of five years after kicking off oil production. The other ministries expected to appear include that of Lands, Water, Education and Works.
