Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Dr Ruth Nankabirwa, has urged countries involved in the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project to encourage citizens, youth, and students to visit the project sites.
She said such visits would help the public gain a clear understanding of the project and its long-term benefits.
Dr Nankabirwa made the call today in Tanga during her visit to Camp Number 16 in Muheza District, the final section on the Ugandan side connecting the pipeline that will transport crude oil from Hoima, Uganda, to Chongoleani in Tanzania’s Tanga Region.
During the visit, the minister observed pipe welding and joining activities along a 2.5-kilometre stretch. She expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work in Tanzania, praising the country for the impressive progress and high standards demonstrated in project implementation.
Dr Nankabirwa also visited a local resident who has benefited from the project’s social initiatives, including the construction of a new house, highlighting the pipeline’s positive impact on surrounding communities.
The EACOP project is currently 79 percent complete. It involves the construction of a 1,445-kilometre crude oil pipeline, with around 86,000 pipe segments being used. Construction began in 2022 and is expected to be completed by July 2026.
The minister’s visit underscores the importance of public engagement, particularly for youth and students, as they are among the key beneficiaries of one of East Africa’s largest infrastructure projects.