Oil & Gas News

Batebe Pledges Continuity, Collaboration At Energy Ministry

Irene Batebe, PS, Energy Ministry

Irene Batebe, the new permanent secretary at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) has pledged to carry on the work of her predecessors to guarantee a “suitable culture” at the Ministry.

Batebe replaced Robert Kasande, on July 15, 2021.

“As PS my core role is to provide effective leadership to the Ministry to ensure it continues to deliver on its mandate. My predecessors have left a clear vision and strategy that has to be actualised especially in ensuring Ugandans have access to affordable electricity,” she told this website.

Adding, “A lot of effort has gone into creating a suitable culture within the Ministry. I will continue on this effort well noting that a poor culture ‘eats strategy for breakfast’.”

Batebe’s reign comes at a time when Uganda’s oil and gas industry is readying for takeoff, with the achievement of the final investment decision (FID) only a matter of time.

Having for long been at the forefront of the commercialization efforts for the petroleum resources in Uganda herself, she believes it is now time to fast-track towards First Oil through collaborative efforts.

“A lot has gone into the preparation stage that has moved the oil sector from exploration to development and onwards to production. There is now need to accelerate to the next stage that will lead to First Oil. One of the critical issues in the delivery of this complex project will be the collaboration amongst all the stakeholders both within Government and the Private sector,” said Batebe.

The development phase is indeed well underway following the awarding of the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) contract for the Tilenga Project by TotalEnergies E&P in June 2021 and the signing of key agreements this year between Uganda and Tanzania in relation to the crude oil export pipeline (EACOP).

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Deep Earth
Deep Earth International critically examines developments in the extractive and energy sectors in Uganda and the wider East African region. Drawing from the vast experience of its founders who have each covered and written about these sectors for at least fifteen years, this website is the go-to platform for anyone seeking to get a better understanding of the same.

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