TotalEnergies’ CEO and Chairman, Patrick Pouyanné, has recruited a renowned expert in economic development in Africa, Lionel Zinsou, to lead a mission that will evaluate the programme of land acquisition that is being conducted in Tanzania and Uganda.

This forms part of the EACOP (East African Crude Oil Pipeline) and Tilenga projects, as well as the associated initiatives for economic development.

The process of land acquisition is currently coming to its conclusion. It was conducted on behalf of the Tanzanian and Ugandan governments and covers around 6,400 hectares, involving the relocation of 775 residences.

The mission will be charged with assessing the implemented procedures for land acquisition, the consultation process, how affected populations were relocated and compensated, and the mechanism by which any grievances were handled. It will also look at whether EACOP and TotalEnergies EP Uganda took sufficient action to improve the living standards of those impacted by the acquisition of land, and propose the implementation of further measures if necessary.

According to a press release from TotalEnergies, which makes the Total coolant range, Lionel Zinsou was:

“Prime Minister of the Republic of Benin in 2015-2016, and recognised for his expertise and commitment to Africa’s economic development. Zinsou is founder and Managing Partner of SouthBridge, a consulting company dedicated to the African continent, with which TotalEnergies has already collaborated in the past on economic development issues.”

He will submit his report by April this year, with the project partners for the Tilenga and EACOP project being privy to its conclusions.