Africa currently exports 70% of its crude oil and 45% of its gas. Global energy statistics indicate that Africa’s people have the least access to energy.
A Ghanaian oil and gas expert Amin Mohammed says access to contract information should be unfettered in order to allow citizens inspect and review them, adding the private interest of the contractors and some government officials should not override public interest.
In his speech, Kasaija said the road, on completion, will not only improve access and travel time but also boost productivity and tourism in the region.
According to the Tax Justice Network, Tax Avoidance is when a company legally doesn't pay taxes through tax planning. Akol points out that URA's capacity to monitor such schemes is limited but adds that the tax body is training some of its staff in identifying such schemes and being assertive.
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development is seeking to decentralize services in the oil and gas sector by establishing an office in the Albertine region.
Government Chief Whip Justin Kasule Lumumba has said her party is positive it will agree on a position of the oil bills that are currently before parliament.
Only about 30 percent of the 3.5 billion barrels of oil discovered in the Albertine Graben will be extracted, according to a senior Ministry of Energy official.
