Residents of Garissa have been assured that the draft policy on petroleum regulations contains strict measures for environmental health and safety.
The director of petroleum and gas at the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra), Edward Kinyua, while responding to concerns raised by residents during a public participation meeting at NEP Technical, acknowledged the worries of pastoralist communities and promised that their contributions would be considered to strengthen the sector.
Residents expressed concerns over the use of hazardous substances and waste disposal by companies that conducted previous oil explorations in the region.
Kinyua assured the public that any suspected cases of improper waste disposal or hazardous substance use would be investigated and legal action taken against the companies involved.
He explained that the draft policy has taken into account community concerns, with 75 per cent of the resources allocated to the national government, 20 per cent to county governments, and five per cent to the local communities.
Epra’s manager of environmental health and safety, Clement Nadio, highlighted the safety measures outlined in the draft and assured the public that their input will be considered.
Residents also stressed the need for strict regulations on the use of hazardous substances and explosives during oil exploration.
Sheikh Omar Abdisitar, chairman of the Garissa Muslim Preachers Council, said communities remain concerned about the possible health and environmental effects of past oil explorations.
“Unless the draft clearly stipulates what kind of explosives and substances will be used, and sets proper disposal procedures, government efforts to extract oil in the region will face challenges,” he said.
Another participant, Omar Shariff, called for stricter rules to prevent environmental destruction during exploration missions.
“From my childhood to this time when I am an old man, the information I have heard about companies involved in oil exploration in this region has always raised concerns. We need regulations that will protect the lives of people and livestock, which form the backbone of our economy,” he said.
Some participants also questioned how communities will directly benefit from oil exploration.
“We have seen how people of Turkana protested that they were not benefiting from oil exploration. We need to know how this draft addresses such concerns,” said Shafii Aden Issack.
