Folks,

This just has to be stopped and not allowed.

Personally I did some community consultancy for Block 19 for potential oil exploration. This block is inland of Arabuko- Sokoke and covers the dry area running nth/ south from Bamba down to Mariakani and down to Kinango.This Block 19 borders the forest and borders Shimba Hills but the exploration and seismic teams were very sensitive to conservation , protected habitats and fragile ecosystems. They didn’t go near the forest areas.

In their seismic work they even chose operators ( not Chinese) who would be and were sensitive to protected areas.

Most likely they will drill in confined areas of the “Taru Desert” just nth and soiuth of Mariakani.

 Seismic surveys & Drilling inland on Block 16 and potentially in the coastal marine parks at Watamu etc would be a nightmare and would disturb habitats and species

Full detailed EAI’s must be  / have to be done by the exploration company  and legally all protected areas and their guardians KWS, IUCN, Birdlife etc etc must be involved in the consultative process before any exploration / seismic activity occurs !!! This is the legal process for any E&P work in the oil & gas areas

The Ministry of Energy in Nyayo House should be aware of the Sokoke -Arabuko protected area and should receive formal objection notices from environmental parties/ bodies. Key contacts in MOE are Martin Heya, the Commissioner of Oil & Petroleum  and Hudson Andambi, Senior Geologist and of course the PS himself  in Min of Energy and the Minister need to be lobbied by a forceful action group .

Also Min of Environment & Wildlife need to be lobbied too

Could Paul K at Wildlife Direct take up this cause?  Or IUCN/  Birdlife Africa ?

Wow this is a grave concern for our wildlife

Brgds Simon Ball

 

 

---

This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.