By Irene Kabakama, Media Management
The Commissioner General of URA John R Musinguzi recently hosted a team from the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) to strengthen relations between the two institutions.
Musinguzi appreciated the team for considering URA as a valued stakeholder, sharing the insights on their work and resolving all the tax disputes with URA. He also asked the team to continue sharing information on the contracts signed with sub-contractors, land transfers and acquisitions among other vital information that will enable URA curb revenue leakage.
Commissioner Domestic Taxes Sarah Chelangat assured CNOOC of URA’s commitment to guide, support and advise them on all tax related matters to ensure smooth implementation of the Kingfisher project.
The Kingfisher project is a 60.5-metre-tall oil rig erected by CNOOC in Kikuube District. The rig is expected to start pumping oil next month producing 40,000 barrels of oil per day at peak.
The project is operated by CNOOC Uganda Limited (CUL) and the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC).
According to Ma Peixin, Vice President CUL, they contracted 42 local subcontractors who in turn currently employ 2716 Ugandans. Aside from oil drilling, CUL also trains the local work force in different vocations like driving heavy trucks, develops programs for livestock and crops, sensitizes the communities on diseases and conducts corporate social responsibility drives all aimed at giving back to the community.
CNOOC also ensures proper environmental management through undertaking environmental and social impact assessment studies for all planned projects and accountability through continuous sharing of its operational progress and compliance with regulatory bodies.
Oil drilling at the Kingfisher project is expected to start next month with a launch that URA is expected to be part of.
