Court allows oil exploration
What you need to know:
- The residents had claimed the project would lead to displacement of the Ajuran people and that the drilling would result in development of well pads, pipelines, airstrip access roads and other infrastructure that would lead to clearing of vegetation which is their grazing land.
- But the companies, through lawyer Mohammed Nyaoga, submitted that the residents lied that they are facing imminent eviction.
The High Court has allowed three multi-national companies to continue with oil and gas exploration in parts of Wajir County.
Justice George Odunga ruled that Lion Petroleum Corporation Limited, Taipan Resources Incorporation Limited and Premier Oil Plc have a right to continue with the exploration but within designated areas and without interfering with the nomadic life of the residents.
RIGHTS TO BE PROTECTED
“The companies and the residents both have rights to be protected. For the balance to protect each interest, they should continue mining within the 36 hectares they are occupying without subjecting the residents to any mass eviction,” said Justice Odunga.
The judge had, last week, stopped the exploration after a petition by some residents who claimed that they were facing eviction and that they were not consulted before the projects begun.
The residents had claimed the project would lead to displacement of the Ajuran people and that the drilling would result in development of well pads, pipelines, airstrip access roads and other infrastructure that would lead to clearing of vegetation which is their grazing land.
But the companies, through lawyer Mohammed Nyaoga, submitted that the residents lied that they are facing imminent eviction.
“The petitioners approached the court with unclean hands and should not be entitled to any order. They lied that the companies had not undertaken any environmental impact assessment when they are aware of the measures taken to address any adverse impacts,” said Mr Nyaoga.
FAILED TO DISCLOSE
They also failed to disclose to the court that they have filed similar suits before three different judges but failed to get orders in any of the suits, the lawyer added.
He said the companies have invested over Sh1.2 billion in the project and stopping them will expose them to losses and penalties for contracts they have entered with third parties.
He urged Justice George Odunga to suspend the temporary order and let the oil firms continue with their work.
Hearing continues on November 25.
