Hoima economic activities boom
Aug 21, 2008
THE planned early production of oil has stimulated economic activities in Hoima as locals prepare to grab the oil windfalls.
By Ibrahim Kasita
THE planned early production of oil has stimulated economic activities in Hoima as locals prepare to grab the oil windfalls.
Tullow Oil, the firm exploring for oil and gas in the Albertine Graben, intends to start producing 4,000-5,000 barrels of oil (bpd) per day.
The scheme includes a mini-refinery for diesel, kerosene and heavy-fuel oil for local consumption.
Tullow will also set up a 50-85MW heavy-fuel thermal plant, a transmission line from Mputa to Fort-Portal and Nkenda and a distribution power network from Kaiso-Tonya to Hoima.
A survey in Hoima found that hotels, lodges, restaurants and recreation grounds had sprung up due to increased demand for accommodation.
An employee of Riviera Hotel, a new hotel, said: “There are many visitors, especially expatriates. These hotels and lodges are occupied at full capacity daily and there is good revenue for the owners.â€
About 200km of two highway roads, which will be tarmacked, have been opened, linking the remote Kaiso-Tonya to the world.
The fresh fish at Lake Albert and other agrarian products, which had limited market, are on high demand now.
Three airstrips including a helicopter landing pad and army barracks have already been constructed on the shores of Lake Albert as the country prepares to join the oil-producing club.
The airstrips, which are capable of handling sizeable aircraft, have been constructed at Mputa and Waraga-1 in Buseruka sub-county, while the helipad is in neighbouring Kyehooro. All the airstrips are connected to the exploration sites by murram roads.
This will reduce transportation costs and lead to timely shipment of supplies.
Tullow intends to invest $250m (sh410b), which will bring the total amount invested since exploration activities started two years ago to $500m (sh820b).
Four primary schools have been upgraded and a modern maternity constructed in Kaiso-Tonya.
There are jobs for security guards, transportproviders and cleaners.
Tullow says 200 jobs will be created during construction of the oil refinery with 100 of them reserved for Ugandans.
THE planned early production of oil has stimulated economic activities in Hoima as locals prepare to grab the oil windfalls.
Tullow Oil, the firm exploring for oil and gas in the Albertine Graben, intends to start producing 4,000-5,000 barrels of oil (bpd) per day.
The scheme includes a mini-refinery for diesel, kerosene and heavy-fuel oil for local consumption.
Tullow will also set up a 50-85MW heavy-fuel thermal plant, a transmission line from Mputa to Fort-Portal and Nkenda and a distribution power network from Kaiso-Tonya to Hoima.
A survey in Hoima found that hotels, lodges, restaurants and recreation grounds had sprung up due to increased demand for accommodation.
An employee of Riviera Hotel, a new hotel, said: “There are many visitors, especially expatriates. These hotels and lodges are occupied at full capacity daily and there is good revenue for the owners.â€
About 200km of two highway roads, which will be tarmacked, have been opened, linking the remote Kaiso-Tonya to the world.
The fresh fish at Lake Albert and other agrarian products, which had limited market, are on high demand now.
Three airstrips including a helicopter landing pad and army barracks have already been constructed on the shores of Lake Albert as the country prepares to join the oil-producing club.
The airstrips, which are capable of handling sizeable aircraft, have been constructed at Mputa and Waraga-1 in Buseruka sub-county, while the helipad is in neighbouring Kyehooro. All the airstrips are connected to the exploration sites by murram roads.
This will reduce transportation costs and lead to timely shipment of supplies.
Tullow intends to invest $250m (sh410b), which will bring the total amount invested since exploration activities started two years ago to $500m (sh820b).
Four primary schools have been upgraded and a modern maternity constructed in Kaiso-Tonya.
There are jobs for security guards, transportproviders and cleaners.
Tullow says 200 jobs will be created during construction of the oil refinery with 100 of them reserved for Ugandans.