Norwegian Ambassador to Tanzania, Ingunn Klepsvik
Norwegian Ambassador to Tanzania Ingunn Klepsvik has cautioned that oil
and oil explorations in Tanzania could occasion conflicts as it has
done in many countries across the world.
Speaking soon after signing an agreement between three universities of
Tanzania, Angola and Norway here yesterday, the envoy said oil
discoveries in most countries had led to upheavals.
She noted that countries in the south of the Sahara should embrace
those experiences as a stepping stone and make oil and gas discoveries
as a blessing rather than a curse.
Klepsvik called on the two countries—Tanzania and Angola -- to make use
of the five-year agreement to create enough experts in the emerging
industry in the region.
Records of 2012 showed Norway was the world’s fifth largest oil
exporter, whose petroleum industry accounted for a quarter of its GDP
-- ranked the highest in human development in 2011.
Norway is the largest gas producer of the OECD Europe countries, and
most of its gas is exported to the European Union (EU). Norway has a
natural gas supply per capita of 1.13, among the highest in the OECD
Europe countries (6th).
Being the largest gas producer in OECD Europe, Norway does not import
any gas (it is estimated though that in 2010 Norway imported 6 million
m3 of gas in Liquefied natural gas or LNG form. It is claimed that
Norway does not have underground gas storage facilities.
The advice from the Norwegian diplomat comes at amid raging conflict
between the government and Mtwara and Lindi regions yet unknown gas
proceeds – but the residents are calling for what they call a fair share
from the gas discovered from their areas.
In the latest agreement, Tanzanian and Angolan universities are the
beneficiaries of the Norwegian technological transfer deal, under which
the two African countries will be sending students pursuing advanced
degree courses on oil and gas petroleum geosciences.
The three countries will be working in one umbrella known as the
Angolan, Norwegian and Tanzanian Higher Education Initiative (ANTHEI) --
meant to promote academic and cultural ties between the parties.
“This new deal plays an imperative role to Tanzania’s gas and oil
industry … it is in high demand of local experts in this area,” said
Adam Zuberi, from Tanzania’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals.
Modestus Lumato, an engineer with the Tanzania Petroleum Development
Cooperation (TPDC), commended Norway for its support to Sub-Saharan
Africa including Tanzania.
He said Norway, one of the highly developed countries in oil and gas, had been working with Tanzania for years.
“This new deal is an evident that Norway is a true partner in
socio-economic development,” engineer Lomato said, adding that the new
cooperation will make Tanzania and Angola generate more professionals
in oil and gas.
The official was optimistic that by 2015 the number of local experts in
oil and gas could rise significantly, pointing out that Tanzanian
students were already in the Scandinavian country pursuing studies in
that field.
Prof. Makenya Maboko, acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Dar
es Salaam said the cooperation dubbed “Arusha Protocol” formalizes the
teamwork between the three universities to provide higher level
education in oil and gas.
“This agreement comes at an opportune time when Tanzania witnesses big
discoveries of natural resources and growing prospects for discovery of
oil.
“We in the higher education sector charged with the responsibility of
training high level manpower for this nation find ourselves suddenly
challenged to provide answers for questions until recently seemed
farfetched and almost irrelevant,” Prof. Maboko said.
He revealed that UDSM’s department of geology and chemistry had been
instructed to develop curricular in the areas of oil and gas that will
save the needs of the emerging industry.
“Eventually we aim to develop a one-stop centre that is well equipped
to provide training, research and consulting services for oil and gas
industry in the country and the region,” Prof. Maboko stated.
He also noted that Tanzania will learn a lot from Angola, taking into
account that the country has started exploring oil many years ago.
The signing agreement was signed by Prof. Maboko on behalf of Tanzania,
Prof. Doutor Orlando da Mata of University of Augustino Neto signed on
behalf of Angola and Norway was sealed by Prof. Torbjorn Digernes,
rector at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
