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30/09/2019 News

Total responds to questions from NGOs about its projects in Uganda

  • Total’s Vigilance Plan clearly identifies the risks to human rights, fundamental freedoms, human health and safety, and the environment that could result from our activities. Preventive measures specific to these risks are also set out. 
  • The Vigilance Plan is included in Total’s Registration Document, which can be downloaded from the Internet.
  • The French Law on Corporate Duty of Care takes a general approach by type of risk. It does not require disclosure of risks specific to individual projects.
  • The Vigilance Plan does not cover management of the risks related to our operations. That management is provided through action plans and procedures in force within Total and other measures taken for individual projects, notably in response to impact assessments. Total E&P Uganda and its partners have implemented measures to prevent the risks identified for the EACOP and Tilenga projects. 
  • Total E&P Uganda and its partners have conducted detailed environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) that in particular cover access to land and water and potential environmental impacts. These assessments led to measures to prevent or mitigate such impacts.
  • The impact assessments were conducted in line with national and international standards, notably those of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which are among the most stringent in the areas of environmental and social impacts. Nearly 70,000 people in Uganda and Tanzania were consulted during the assessments. 
  • The Tilenga and EACOP projects have been designed to strictly limit the impact on local communities and, where possible, help to improve their quality of life. This is achieved by limiting relocation and providing support for the people concerned. The relocation plans are designed to avoid actual physical resettlement wherever possible, as well as negative impacts on living conditions. The teams in charge of the project at Total regularly check in on the people affected.
  • A total of 622 people, owners and renters alike, were affected by the first relocation plan for Tilenga.
  • Owners were offered financial compensation or compensation in kind. Thirty-one opted for compensation in kind: one owner of land without a house and 30 homeowners, who will be rehoused under similar or better conditions. The other 591 people opted for financial compensation, whose amount was set in line with studies conducted by independent experts and approved by the relevant authorities. Other measures have been implemented to support local communities, and more are planned. 
  • Total is fully aware of the potential impacts on local communities. Ongoing transparent dialogue ensures that any concerns expressed are handled appropriately. Stakeholders are informed and consulted at every step of project implementation.