New Request from CHAD-The Inspection Panel receives Request to Investigate the Chad Petroleum Development and Pipeline Project and Two other related Projects in the Republic of Chad
Contact: Eduardo G. Abbott
(202) 458-2617
WASHINGTON, APRIL 11, 2001 The independent Inspection Panel for the World Bank today registered a request for an investigation into the Petroleum Development and Pipeline Project (Credit No. 4558-CD), the Management of the Petroleum Economy Project (Credit No. 3316-CD), and the Petroleum Sector Management Capacity-Building Project (Credit No. 3373-CD) in the Republic of Chad. The Request was filed by Mr. Ngarlejy Yorongar who is also acting for and on behalf of 120 residents living in the cantons of Miandoum, Komé, Béro, Mbikou, Bébédjia and Béboni, located in the sub-prefecture of Bébédjia, Chad.
The Request claims that people living in the Project area and their environment have or are likely to suffer harm as a result of failures and omissions in the design, appraisal and supervision by the Bank of the above-referenced Projects. The Request claims that development of petroleum activities, including the development of oil fields in the southern part of Chad and the construction of an oil pipeline between Chad and neighboring Cameroon, represents a threat to local communities, their cultural property, and to the environment. There is also a specific claim that those living in the Doba basin are being harmed or a likely to be harmed because a compensation plan and an environmental assessment have either not been adequately prepared or not prepared. Finally, the Request claims that proper consultation with and disclosure of information to the local communities did not take place.
Under Inspection Panel procedures Bank Management is required to respond to the claims made in the Request no later than May 10, 2001. After the Inspection Panel receives this response, it will determine whether the Request meets the eligibility criteria set out in paragraphs 12 to 14 of the Resolution that established the Panel, and shall make a recommendation to the Bank's Executive Directors on whether the matter should be investigated. The Executive Directors will then decide whether or not to accept or reject the Panel's recommendation.
Copies of the Notice of Registration are available at the Bank's Public Information Center
(Tel: (202) 458-5454) and on INTERNET at www.inspectionpanel.org.