Mtwara gas debate needs to INCLUDE environmental issues

Mtwara gas debate needs to INCLUDE environmental issues

                                       

                                       

                                BY MOHAMED MATOPE

The drilling of natural gas off the coast of Mtwara and government plans to build the natural gas pipeline from Mtwara to Dar- es-salaam have become a source of contention between Mtwara residents and the authorities.

What is known as the “Mtwara anti-gas pipeline movement”, which started as ordinary demonstration, before it erupted into violence and public unrest, was caused by numerous factors, including lack of public participation in the policy and decision –making process involving the pipeline construction project.

When people become intellectually more aware of the existing democratic structures, thanks both to their education and greater access to knowledge means such as the social media, it is not prudent to bypass them and make major decisions without consulting them.

Unfortunately, the amped-up rhetoric has overshadowed the potential benefits that natural gas drilling and the construction of the 532 kilometre long gas pipeline would provide to the country. Once completed, the project will generate six times the combined electricity currently produced by Kidatu, Pangani, Mtera and Nyumba ya Mungu hydroelectric dams. It would ensure more reliable and low cost energy supply and multiply economic development opportunities.

The economic benefits that this project will bring to our nation are clear but it is also important for people to have a better understanding of the possible negative consequences to their communities. Gas production is a dirty business. There are many negative consequences associated with gas drilling: ranging from environmental pollution, diseases, as well as the leakage associated with the drilling process. And the environmental and economic impact of these unintended consequences can be catastrophic.

At the end of the day, while the entire nation would benefit from the gas drilling, the Wamakonde, Wamakua and Wayao will be the ones to bear the full impact of the dangers caused by gas drilling.

The recent gas leak in the Gulf of Mexico reminded the world how devastating a massive gas and oil spill can be. Fish, shellfish, marine mammals as well as birds were killed in their droves by a wide slick extending across thousands of square kilometers. As the oil and gas reached the shore it destroyed valuable coastal wetlands and beaches, harmed the animals that rely on that ecosystem and damaged the soils. It also poisoned drinking water as well as the precious “free” air.

Ironically, for the most part, gas pipeline debate in Tanzania ignores the human and environmental concerns. Instead, the media and other critics focus on constitutional and economic issues while we all well know that there are very few good legal or economic arguments against offshore drilling. Most of the arguments to the contrary basically boil down to:  outrageous conspiracy theories and unachievable demands such as; proportional gas revenue for the region.

The most astonishing thing for me has been to see the leaders of major opposition parties maintain similar arguments. “Mtwara gas should benefit Mtwara residents”. Seriously! Who is going to pay for the gas drilling? Is it going to be by the Tanzania government or “Mtwara” government?

It would simply be unbelievable for Mtwara region to receive the lion’s share of the oil revenue today while for over fifty years the Mtwara region has enjoyed (free) public services paid for with gold and diamonds from Shinyanga.

There are, as in most things though, no absolutes in this debate. Digging deeper than the rhetoric and slogans, I find that Mtwara residents have every right to question their government on how they are going to benefit from the investment in new found wealth. However, the people who claimed to support the Mtwara residents’ cause are nothing but a bunch of self-centred individuals, people who have hijacked what was a legitimate public discourse and turned it into political propaganda.

As a result, those who claim to speak for the people of Mtwara, are often individuals speaking for their own narrow self -interests.

Having said that, economic challenges must move beyond what is convenient and toward what is necessary. No poor country, indeed not even the industrialized ones, can afford to sacrifice its economy in order to satisfy environmental safeguards. But, that does not mean environment issues and offshore leaks should be completely ignored.

We need a better understanding of what risks we are willing to take and how we can move together as a nation.

The End;

Mohamed Matope is a syndicated columnist for Tanzanian and African blogs.