At least 50 residents of Obongi County in Moyo have rejected the money offered to them by Neptune to carry out oil exploration on their land. Neptune is set to drill its first oil well at Lionga exploration site, which is located on the land belonging to the residents. Recently, Neptune oil proposed to pay out shillings 4.8 million as compensation to the affected residents to vacate the area.
However, the residents have rejected the offer preferring to be paid each month during the exploration period. Twaha Abdallah, one of the affected residents wants the drilling company to pay him shillings 3.5 million each month besides meeting the demands of the tenants occupying his land. Abdallah argues that once Neptune finds oil on his land he would permanently be displaced yet the proposed compensation is meager.
Khalid Awuga, the LC 3 chairman of Aliba Sub County whose is also affected says that they are worried that once they offer their land they will be displaced permanently just like the case has been in other places where oil has been found. He also says that their land will lose its fertility once oil drilling takes place on it.
Rashid Mugabi, Neptune Environment and Community affairs officer says that much as they proposed to pay residents 4.8 million shillings to rent the land they have not yet reached the final agreement. Mugabi says that they will use local leaders to convince residents to allow them use the land. Neptune Uganda that started its oil exploration in West Nile at Rhino Camp in Arua two years ago but failed to strike any oil well. As a result, Neptune relocated to Obongi in Moyo district.
