The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project has reaffirmed its commitment to support the education sector as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), aligning its efforts with Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050 and the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly Goal 4 on Quality Education.
Representing the Managing Director of EACOP Tanzania
during the Form Six graduation ceremony at Misenye's Bunazi Secondary School, Mr. Theophil Celestine, Community Relations Coordinator at EACOP Tanzania, said the project remains committed to supporting government efforts to ensure access to quality education for all.
“The EACOP project is not only about the construction of crude oil infrastructure; it is also about people’s development,” he said.
“We feel obliged to support communities surrounding our project areas through various socio-economic development initiatives, while also fully implementing the local content policy,” he added.
As part of this commitment, EACOP pledged to donate a photocopy machine to support academic and administrative functions at the school.
In addition to supporting Project Affected Persons (PAPs) across various sectors including the provision of free vocational training through Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) EACOP continues to implement several initiatives aimed at strengthening education in the country.
It recently launched the so-called “Keep a Girl in School Initiative – Phase I”, implemented under its Socio-Economic Investment (SEI) Programme.
The initiative focuses on improving Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHM) in selected primary and secondary schools along the EACOP corridor in Tanzania.
Earlier, the school’s Headmistress, Arieth Philemon Munisi, expressed appreciation for EACOP’s continued support, noting that such contributions play a vital role in improving students’ learning environments.
She, however, highlighted several challenges facing the school, including the lack of a perimeter fence, which exposes students particularly girls to safety risks, vandalism, and unauthorized access to school property.
Other challenges include the absence of a dining hall, which affects student welfare and limits space for academic discussions and school events.
She also pointed to the poor condition of the school kitchen, describing it as being in severe disrepair and inadequate for serving the current student population.
Additionally, the deterioration of examination reproduction equipment, such as photocopiers and printers, has significantly hindered academic operations and increased administrative costs.
The Headmistress further noted that the shortage of sports equipment including jerseys, balls, and nets limits students’ participation in physical education and extracurricular activities, potentially exposing them to high-risk behaviours.
She called on other stakeholders and well-wishers to support the school in addressing these challenges.
The graduation ceremony, held at the school grounds, was attended by various dignitaries, parents, guardians, teachers, and students.
Established in 1998 by the Misenyi Development Association (MIDEA), Bunazi Secondary School was founded by local coffee farmers to promote education in the area. In 2022, the school was officially integrated into the government education system.
Currently, the school serves a total of 1,332 students 821 girls and 511 boys from Form One to Form Six.
It caters to students from pipeline-affected villages such as Bulfani, Nyabihanga, and Kabwoba at the Ordinary Level, while Advanced Level students are drawn from various regions across Tanzania.
This year, 104 out of 110 girls successfully graduated, while six students were transferred to other schools for various reasons.
The school has a total staff complement of 51 personnel, including 42 teachers 17 male and 25 female alongside support staff such as matrons, cooks, security guards, and administrative personnel.
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is a 1,443-kilometre infrastructure project designed to transport crude oil from Kabaale in Hoima, Uganda, to the Chongoleani Peninsula in Tanga, Tanzania.
The project is jointly owned by TotalEnergies (62%), Uganda National Oil Company (15%), Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (15%), and CNOOC (8%).
