Lundin Oil Looks Into Allegations On Sudan
Press release, March 15
Lundin Oil is concerned about the recent allegations of human rights violations made in connection with the road to Lundin Oil’s exploration site in Block 5A, Sudan. The company has not witnessed the acts alleged and would not accept violations of human rights within its sphere of operations. In accordance with its Code of Conduct, it will continue to monitor the situation and look further into the allegations.
The road in question covers a distance of 80 km between the company’s base camp at Rubkona and the drilling site at Thar Jath and continues to Jarayan (see attached map: lundinoil.com ).
Before any work commenced on the road, Lundin Oil carried out an environmental impact study with a specialized third party organization based in the UK. As part of the study the company made an assessment of human habitation of the area between Rubkona and Thar Jath, which indicated low density population settlements in the area.
The main portion of the road was built during the months of September to December 2000 by a private Sudanese construction company. Lundin Oil employees who were present in the area prior to and during the construction process stated that they did not witness forced removal of local population.
Upon completion of the road in January this year, company representatives visited the habited areas along the road with a view to assess their basic requirements (in water supply, health and education) as part of the company’s ongoing community development program. During these visits no signs of destruction were observed. The road is now extensively used by the local population to transport goods to and from the market in Rubkona and its construction seems to be perceived as beneficial by the local population. The company did not receive any complaints about the way construction was carried out.
Background
Before Lundin Oil commenced activities in the area, it met with representatives of the local population to enlist their support and find out what were their needs and concerns. As a result of discussions with these people and humanitarian organisations working in the area Lundin Oil developed a community and humanitarian assistance program (CDHAP), which is now in the process of being implemented. The purpose of the program is :
Specifically,the company has built a bridge which allows crossing of the river between Block 5A and Rubkona, and this bridge together with the road give people easier access to the amenities available in Bentiu and Rubkona such as schools, clinics, and markets. The road from Thar Jath to the Jarayan well location has been extended. This is being done not for operational purposes, but for the use of the people there, and it will have the effect of helping implement CDHAP in a remote area where little aid has been given so far.
There are three water trucks filling water tanks on a daily basis to villages situated along the road and the company is in the process of drilling six shallow water wells which will secure permanent supply of freshwater. Locals are being employed, not only for the purpose of the operations, but also to assist in ascertaining local needs.
Through this program, Lundin Oil is demonstrating its commtiment to play a positive role for the population in the area.
Lundin Oil AB is a Swedish independent oil company with exploration and production activities in eight different countries worldwide. The Company is listed on NASDAQ (symbol "LOILY") and the Stockholm Stock Exchange (symbol "LOILB").
For further information, please contact:
Ian H. Lundin
President
Tel direct: +41-22-319 66 00
or
Maria Hamilton
Corporate Communication
Tel direct: +41-22-319 66 12
lundinoil.com |
