Muzarabani gas project: Communities speak

WHEN development projects take place in communities, people are naturally enthusiastic about the potential benefits, either social or economic.

Some would think of creation of employment, business opportunities, public infrastructure development, improvement in standards of living among others.

On the contrary, such projects comes with a lot of anxiety.

Some of these projects cause development induced displacements as people are moved to other areas to pave way for implementation of the projects.

These may include mining projects, dam or road construction among others. Such projects can severely cause serious human insecurity and socio economic disruptions.

This is among major concerns for several people in Muzarambani where a multi billion oil project by Invictus Energy, a company listed on the Australia Stock Exchange is underway.

“We don’t know exactly where this plant will be built but we have a strong feeling that we may end up being moved elsewhere something many people will not be uncomfortable with,” said Rachel Dhlakama, a 36-year-old mother of three in a tiny village of Muzarambani under Chief Chiweshe.

“We have known this area since birth, we have our own social formations and our own native systems of surviving and disrupting all these will be sad.”

Invictus is exploring for oil and gas in the Muzarabani. In September this year, it indicated that it will start drilling Zimbabwe’s first oil and gas wells within its prospective area in October next year.

Studies conducted thus far from secondary data collected by petroleum giants Mobil in the early 1990s, have shown encouraging results and tremendous potential for possible existence of oil and gas in the firm’s specials grant area.

The Muzarabani prospect has ticked all the relevant boxes to warrant millions of US dollar investment into drilling for oil or gas. Thus far, US$3,5 million has been invested in preliminary work and processing of secondary data, but the actual sinking of the first oil and gas wells in the country will cost upwards of US$15 million.

Officials, including managing director Scot MacMillan, said the company was already mobilising heavy duty equipment used for oil and gas from the region ahead of commencement of drilling within the next 12 months.

In between, the company will conduct further on-site investigations, specifically geophysics (seismic studies) to narrow down on the most accurate sites for drilling two wells to test the possible existence of oil and gas in Muzarabani.

On the back of strong evidence gleaned from the investigations and studies that have been conducted, the Government is now tying the loose ends to a production sharing agreement.

“We fear to be left out . . . we have heard stories about villagers in Chiadzwa who did not benefit from the diamonds and we don’t want the same to happen here,” said a villager under Chief Kasekete.

“We are not against development but the community of Muzarabani should feel its impact.”

Some charity organizations involved in humanitarian projects in Muzarabani are worried of potential displacements, urging authorities to ensure that should there be forced movement of people, it must be an orderly exercise.

Muzarabani is prone to natural disasters such as floods while excessive high temperatures makes it not ideal for food crops such as maize, the staple.

“While it might be too early to start thinking of worst case scenarios, we expect authorities to be on top of the situation,” an advocacy officer with an international non-governmental organisation said.”

We are not yet sure how many people will be affected but measures should be put to ensure they are safely resettled and well compensated.”

Several other people are, however, bullish about the project saying it will be a game changer for people in Muzarabani.

“It will bring Muzarabani in the limelight . . . the potential benefits will far outweigh the fears of displacements. Think of jobs, that will be created, investments in public infrastructure among others,” said Souguru, who runs a retail business at Muzarabani growth point.

Muzarabani North legislator Zhemu Soda allayed fears of massive displacements while assuring few people who might be affected a safe relocation.

“From what I gathered from Invictus, very few people will be affected and that will be taken care of by the investor,” said Minister Soda, who is the minister of Energy and Power Development.

He said communities had been engaged and consultations will continue as implementation of the project continue.

“We have four chiefs in Muzarabani and engagements through our chiefs will continue,” he added.