By John Odyek
Added 22nd January 2020 12:29 PM
Tom Ayebare Rukundo the manager economic and financial analysis PAU urged farmers to form joint ventures to be able to meet the required quality and quantities and to take advantage of such engagements to meet new stakeholders.
Ernest Rubondo, the Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda
OIL AND GAS
Farmers living along East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) route have been advised to standardise their products to meet international standards.
Ernest Rubondo, the Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) speaking at a farmers Conference held in Hoima District advised them to register their businesses with the National Supplier Database (NSD) base in order to tap into the opportunities in the oil and gas sector.
The conference was organized by PAU in collaboration with Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) to disseminate information about on-going projects in the oil and gas sector. It provided information on what is required to enable business enterprises and individuals make the necessary preparations.
The conference was attended by over 500 farmers. The EACOP route passes through the districts of Hoima, Kikuube, Kyankwanzi, Kakumiro and Mubende. With an expected influx of about one million people to the Albertine Graben region in the development and production stage and the attendant development in infrastructure, there is a projected demand for agricultural products which farmers can position themselves to benefit from.
Tom Ayebare Rukundo the manager economic and financial analysis PAU urged farmers to form joint ventures to be able to meet the required quality and quantities and to take advantage of such engagements to meet new stakeholders.
Carlos Sserwadda the regional manager Stanbic Bank also encouraged famers to make use of Stanbic bank’s business incubator program which supports farmers with technical knowledge and contract management, training and financial support.
<Bayiga Fionah the director, business registration at the Uganda Registration Service Bureau urged farmers to formalize their business to be ready for all the opportunities like financial services, and better business reputation.
Cyrus Kayumba the domestic taxes officer at the Uganda Revenue Authority urged people to comply with taxes because oil companies will not work with non-tax complaint companies or individuals. Kayumba said farmers and businesses should obtain required standards and certificates that the industry requires in-order to supply goods and services that meet them.
Abdu Mugisha agriculture officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries urged farmers to strengthen existing agriculture production and commercial practices. Mugisha asked farmers to enhance the supply chain of agricultural goods and services to the oil and gas development interventions. He said they should develop market opportunities in the region and beyond.
The Oil and Gas sector in Uganda is transitioning from exploration to development and production, with a projected $20b (sh investment expected in the next three to four years. It is therefore important for different sector players to position well to benefit from the projects. The Petroleum Authority of Uganda and other stakeholders committed to continue sensitising people with all the necessary information about each sector project