An Assessment of Regulatory Compliance With International and Regional Obligations Relating To Environmental Health And Safety Standards.

Abstract

Introductory: The study examined an assessment of regulatory compliance with international and regional obligations relating to environmental health and safety standards. This was guided by the following questions;- what are some of the major international, regional and national legal instruments governing environmental health and safety standards in the oil and gas industry in Uganda?, what are the negative consequences of oil and gas activities on the environmental health and safety of the employees and surrounding communities?, to what extent have the oil companies, regulatory institutions and the Government complied with environmental, safety and health standards in oil and gas exploration and production? and finally what mechanisms can be put in place to strengthen compliance to environmental health and safety compliance in Uganda?. As Uganda looks forward to the first drop of oil in the Albertine graben in 2025, the question is how are the players in the Oil and gas industry complying with the Environmental health and Safety Standards. For purposes of clarity and avoidance of doubt, this industry can wipe out a big portion of people if not handled properly. Methodology: The study was conducted through doctrinal approach which provided a systematic exposition of the rules governing a particular legal category, analyses the relationship between those rules, explains areas of difficulty and, perhaps, predicts future developments. Findings: Uganda is about to commence commercial oil and gas production at least by 2025. This follows the discovery of oil deposits worth about 3.5 billion barrels. In the course of this research, it was found that the oil industry of Uganda has reached the midstream stage. This is a stage of development and production, storage, distribution and marketing. So far, the performance of the actors as regards environmental health and safety law compliance leaves a lot to be desired. Though some progress was made for example by formulating the Environmental Sensitivity Atlas for the Albertine Graben; Albertine Graben Monitoring Plan and conduct of EIA and SEA, there is still a lot to be desired despite efforts to ensure that the workers in Oil and gas industry especially within the oil rigs have basic necessities to ensure that they work in a safe and healthy environment. Recommendation and conclusion: The research conclude that there is no environmental health and safety law compliance in Uganda’s oil sector. This because of the failure to fulfill the above underscored standards. Firstly, the EIA conducts have been criticized for lacking full appreciation of the problem and full public participation. In addition, there was no area specifically for sensitive Environmental Impact Assessments such as Lake Albert. There is need to enhance compliance with environmental health and safety principles through strengthening the legal framework such that it is preventative in nature as opposed to being reactive. There is need for environmental health and safety training and awareness so that potentially affected people can know their rights, the relevant legislative requirements, detailed procedures and work instructions for key activities and tasks, risks and emergency plans and the means of responding to incidents.