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Ugandans, Somalis turn Lokichar into crude black market amid Tullow’s denial

A businessman in Lokichar, Turkana county shows some crude oil that he has collected. Tullow Oil has been drilling oil in the county. 20-09-2017. PHOTO BY: KEVIN TUNOI

As the standoff between the National Government and Turkana County Government on how to share revenue from the sale of crude oil continues, Saturday Standard has unearthed a developing black market of crude in Turkana.

The shocking discovery is the latest twist of how a country can go wrong when it cannot handle new found mineral wealth. The black market has attracted Ugandans and Somalis who have increased their presence in Lokichar in recent years as the town wakes up from it slumber. While majority have been attracted by the town’s rising fortunes, Saturday Standard has established that a number of them are there for the illicit oil.

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