Between 22 – 24 November 2016, Timu assisted in a training on environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) in Dawei (the capital of Tanintharyi Region), organized by the International Senior Lawyers Project (ISLP) in partnership with the Dawei Pro bono Lawyers Network (DPLN). Tanintharyi Region is situated in the south of Myanmar and has multiple (tin, coal) mine sites, palm oil plantations and a proposed Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a planned deep-sea port, a large industrial zone, LNG terminal and power plants. As with the proposed SEZ in Kyauk Phyu, local communities around…
Making Mining in Afghanistan Safer, More Transparent and Accountable
What can be the role of local civil society organizations in pushing for greater transparency in Afghanistan’s mining sector? And how can communities affected by the negative social and environmental impacts of mining be better assisted? These were some of the key questions that Timu addressed in a scoping study in Kabul in September – October 2016 for the international development NGO Cordaid. Based on the country’s ostensibly significant, yet largely unexplored mineral wealth, the Afghan government sees the extractives sector as one of the most important (future) sources of revenue and a…
Social Performance, the Weakest Link?
On 15 – 17 November 2016, Timu founder Jeroen de Zeeuw was one of the speakers at the 4th East Africa Oil & Gas Summit (EAOGS) in Nairobi, Kenya. Billed as one of the main events for oil and gas companies active in East Africa, it provided a unique opportunity for Timu to share some of its experiences with community engagement in conflict-affected environments. Here are some key points from Jeroen’s presentation: ‘Non-technical risks’ of oil, gas and other resource projects in East Africa and elsewhere remain very high, and need to be addressed urgently; More and more people are probi…
When Oil, Gas or Mining Arrives in Your Area
With little or no access to relevant information and technical advice, limited public participation and weak organization, local communities confronted with the arrival of oil, gas and mining companies often cannot realistically assess the potential risks or advantages that a project might bring to their area. As a result, they are unable to engage effectively and in a timely manner with government and companies to ensure that the project becomes beneficial to their community. If subsequent negative impacts are not adequately redressed, and if benefits are unevenly distributed among different…
Land Rights, Environment and Governance in Turkana County
On 7 – 9 June 2016, Timu facilitated, together with Triple R Alliance, a training workshop for 21 civil society organizations in Lodwar (northwestern Kenya). Staff from the University of Nairobi and Tullow Oil was available to answer questions and provide insight on land rights, oil exploration operations and community engagement methods. Aimed at strengthening civil society coalition-building and communication skills for constructive dialogue with oil companies, the workshop resulted in a lively debate on the challenges of land access in a fragile, community land context, possibilities fo…
Safeguarding Responsible Investment In Rakhine State (Myanmar)
Between 2 – 4 June 2016, Timu assisted in a training workshop on environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) in Kyaukphyu in Rakhine State, organized by the International Senior Lawyers Project (ISLP) in partnership with the British Council’s Pyoe Pin program and Myanmar Legal Aid Network (MLAW), led by U Kyaw Myint law firm. Located in the Bay of Bengal in western Myanmar, Kyaukphyu is the proposed site for a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a new deep-sea port, an industrial park and a residential area. Local residents, many of whom depend on rice farming and fishing, are concerned…
Oil Development in Turkana County: "Are We Ready?"
On 26 – 27 May 2016, the Turkana County Government hosted its 2nd Oil & Gas Conference in Lodwar (northwestern Kenya). Bringing together more than 300 people from, local communities, national and county government, civil society and the private sector, the two-day event provided an opportunity to take stock of the quality of stakeholder relations and share updates from the relevant ministries and oil companies active in Turkana County. Key topics discussed included the urgent need for rehabilitation of the more than 200km A1 road between Kitale-Lokichar-Lokichoggio, the ‘early oil’ pil…
New Report: Potential Government Revenues from Turkana Oil
Timu associates contributed to a new report that seeks to provide an estimate of the scale and timing of possible Kenya national government and Turkana county government revenues from Turkana oil. The series of successful oil exploration wells in the South Lokichar basin has generated high expectations for Kenya as a whole and for the historically marginalized Turkana region in particular. Provisions in the 2015 draft Petroleum Bill for transfers of government oil revenue to counties (20%) and communities (5%) have generated additional interest. The report heralds the following key finding…
Practical Community Guide on Technical Aspects of Oil and Gas
Local communities living in oil-producing regions usually lack learning material that provides them with a basic understanding of the oil and gas industry. With this Practical Guide developed by Cordaid, we hope to counter misunderstandings and improve dialogue in the development of oil and gas projects. It is expected that by using this guide, local communities, civil society organizations and local governments will acquire a basic understanding of the operations of the oil and gas industry, and thereby be able to engage oil companies and government more effectively and constructively. Havi…