The SCA ruling came after the
"The appeal is dismissed with costs, including those of two counsel to be paid jointly and severally by the appellants," ruled the SCA.
It also said renewal rights for
"However, we welcome the court's direction that the exploration right remains valid, subject to further public consultation and the renewal application," Ntaka told Business Report.
"We are examining the ruling in detail and considering our next steps."
The SCA ruled that "further public participation process be conducted to cure the identified defects in the process already undertaken, especially as the parties who claim to have an interest in the matter" had been identified.
Natural Justice, a non-profit organisation made up fo lawyers for communities and the environment, yesterday said it was disappointed by the court outcome to set aside suspension of
"This is a disappointing outcome for the communities and supporting organisations that brought the case to the
"The communities argued for an outright setting aside of the exploration right based on numerous deficiencies in the consultation and decision-making process."
Communities argued that "there was no consultation with affected communities and the company's consultations with traditional monarchs was insufficient".
They said the "decision-makers failed to consider the potential harm to the fishers' livelihoods, the impact on their cultural and spiritual rights and the contribution of oil and gas exploitation" to climate change.
"The decision-makers failed to consider and comply with the requirement of the Integrated Coastal Management Act to consider the interests of the entire community - including fishers and ocean life," they said.
"No evidence supported bald claims that the project will provide jobs and increase government revenues."
"While the dismissal of
She added that the decision by the SCA "sends a dangerous message that corporate interests can still take precedence over the environmental and human rights" of local populations.
One of these activities include exploration for gas and oil in the pristine
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