In a bid to mitigate the socio-environmental impact of oil pipeline operations, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Ltd. Last week commissioned 15 boreholes, providing access to clean and safe water for approximately 3,600 people across 600 households.
This initiative, framed within the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, seeks to address water scarcity in communities affected by pipeline construction.
The project involves replacing 10 previously existing but displaced water points along the pipeline route and installing five new boreholes, offering a much-needed lifeline to communities facing long-standing water shortages.
By integrating this initiative within the broader objectives of the National Development Plan III (NDPIII) 2020-2025, EACOP aligns itself with national goals to increase rural safe water supply coverage from 70% to 85% and urban access from 74% to 100%.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Mukabara Village, the EACOP Deputy Managing Director and General Manager John Bosco Habumugisha highlighted the urgency of the intervention, noting that although progress has been made, a significant portion of the population still lacks access to clean water and sanitation.
“By providing this vital resource, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline has taken a commendable step towards empowering host communities and enabling them to lead healthier and more productive lives,” he stated.
The Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Peter Banura commended EACOP for its role in supporting government efforts to enhance human capital development under NDPIII saying, “This initiative marks significant progress in ensuring that development projects do not leave communities behind. EACOP has set an example of responsible corporate engagement.”
As part of its Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), EACOP initiated the project in January 2023, incorporating feedback from local government officials, District Water Officers, and community-based water committees. Ensuring compliance with national water safety guidelines, the company has emphasized that local authorities must take on the role of monitoring and maintaining the boreholes to guarantee long-term sustainability.