Journalists have been urged to report positively and more accurately on Uganda’s oil and gas project to facilitate public confidence in the project.
The clarion call was made by Ms. Gloria Sebikari, the Manager Corporate Affairs and Public Relations at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU).
“As journalists, you are duty bound to provide credible and accurate information to the public which relies on you as the fourth estate”, said Sebikari.
This was during a two-day training workshop and field visit to the Albertine Graben for journalists and district information officers who hail from districts that host the oil and gas project operations and those that will be traversed by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). The districts include Kikuube, Hoima, Buliisa, Nwoya, Mubende, Kakumiro, Kyankwanzi, Gomba, Sembabule, Lwengo, Kyotera and Rakai.
“In executing its mandate of monitoring and regulating Uganda’s Oil and Gas Sector, the PAU recognises the importance of having an enlightened media that can be relied on by the public for credible and accurate information, Sebikari stressed.
To achieve this goal, the PAU organized the training and field visit to enhance capacity of the information officers and journalists and enable them to appreciate the developments being undertaken in Uganda’s Oil and Gas Sector.
During the training workshop and field visit, an update on the current status was shared and the team was equipped with information on key issues in the sector. The team was also implored to share beneficial and accurate information with Ugandans to create lasting value for the economy.
The guided tour of the operational facilities included a courtesy visit to the Kabaale International Airport at the Kabaale Industrial Park in Hoima, the Kingfisher Development Area in Kikuube and the Tilenga Development Area in Buliisa.
Construction works and award of Contracts and Tenders have kicked off following the recent signing of the key agreements by the government of Uganda, Tanzania, and the licensed International Oil Companies. The projected investment value of the upstream and midstream projects is between $ 15 to $ 20 billion, which is great value that stakeholders should duly prepare to benefit.
#ENDS
For more information, contact Ms. Gloria Sebikari, Manager, Corporate Affairs and Public Relations
email: corporateaffairs@pau.go.ug