China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) invested and participated in the construction of the Lake Albert (Kingfisher) Oil Development Project located on the western border of Uganda, fronting the lake and across from the mountains. As the water quality was not good, villagers had to hike to the top of the mountain to get the spring water. Kids in the village could carry the buckets on their heads to get spring water from the mountain at the age of five or six.
Petroleum is the blood of industry and water is the source of life. While supporting construction of Uganda's petroleum system, CNOOC adhered to the expectation of "Oil for better life", putting itself in local people's shoes and building water diversion works. The Buhuka Gravity Water Flow Scheme was one of the works that completely ended villagers' difficulty in getting clean drinking water. The project diverted the water source to the foot of the mountain through water diversion facilities and set up multiple purification treatment procedures. The project includes 48 intakes and benefits five villages in affected areas.
A view of the first community water supply and environment improvement project funded and built by CNOOC in Uganda [Photo provided to sasac.gov.cn]
According to statistics from the country's Ministry of Water and Environment, about 30 percent of its population obtains water from shallow wells, marshes, rivers and lakes where clean drinking water cannot be guaranteed. Data from the country's Ministry of Health show that hundreds of people in the country die of diseases like diarrhea, dysentery and cholera every day. The Buhuka Gravity Water Flow Scheme has brought clean drinking water to about 13,000 villagers in affected areas.
A villager gets water at the intake. [Photo provided to sasac.gov.cn]
In the early morning, a long line can be seen at one side of the Nsonga Village in Kikubbe District. Many parents take their children to carry the water buckets. The clean water flowing from the tap soon fills the buckets of various sizes.
Jolley, a villager in Nsonga, said that "We used to have to climb mountains and get water from several kilometers away. Now, we can have clean and healthy drinking water near our houses. Thanks so much, Chinese friends!" Village head Dismus added that "Villagers have benefited a lot from the water supply facility. In addition, staff members of CNOOC also visited local communities and gave lectures on security and environmental protection as well as disease prevention, which helped local people live a better life."
A comparison of the water in Kikubbe District before and after purification [Photo provided to sasac.gov.cn]
In addition to the water diversion project, CNOOC's subsidiary in Uganda also funded and built settlement houses for villagers who had to move to other places for the Lake Albert (Kingfisher) Oil Development Project. Each house covers an area of 110 square meters and features a kitchen and a washing room. The houses are also equipped with solar power supply and centralized water supply systems, which greatly improves local people's living condition.
A view of the settlement houses built by CNOOC for villagers who had to move to other places for the Lake Albert (Kingfisher) Oil Development Project [Photo provided to sasac.gov.cn]
"We used to live in thatched roof cottages that easily caught on fire, which was a great potential safety hazard. Now we finally live in safe and cozy houses and no longer need to worry about the risks," said Dennis, a villager in Nsuzu Village in Kikubbe, when he got the keys to his new house. Another villager, Robinson, also said excitedly that "CNOOC has brought great changes to our lives, and we can drink clean water and live in new houses. Many of us also got new jobs. I feel amiable whenever I see the logo of CNOOC!"
The simple words of the villagers and the smiles of the children show the deepening friendship between the Chinese and Ugandan peoples. Such livelihood projects are refreshing peoples' hearts.
(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)
