| According to the World Bank, Chad is the fifth poorest nation in the world. It is a country whose people suffer from poor healthcare, inadequate education and a lack of roads, electricity, safe water and sanitation. The impact of these conditions is difficult to comprehend without seeing them. This module illustrates the difficulty of daily life in Chad. |
| A Consortium made up of Exxon, Shell and Elf has proposed to develop three oil fields in southern Chad and transport the crude oil via pipeline to the coast of Cameroon for international export. This module gives you an overview of the project and explains some of its economic benefits. |
| View this module for information on the project's extensive environmental, sociological and engineering studies, conducted in accordance with international standards. Teams of biologists, sociologists and anthropologists have worked with project engineers to determine the best possible pipeline route from southern Chad to the coast of Cameroon. |
| Environmental Assessments have been conducted to examine the environmental impacts of the project and to determine how those impacts can best be mitigated through adjustments in the project design. The EAs have been a cooperative effort between Chad, Cameroon and the Consortium. |
| In accordance with World Bank and international guidelines, the project has engaged in extensive public consultation involving thousands of people in both Chad and Cameroon. Comments made during meetings were taken into account by the project, which then conducted further studies, where necessary, to respond to the concerns expressed and to adjust and refine the project design. |
| A particular concern of the project was minimizing the impact of the pipeline on the Pygmy population that lives in coastal Cameroon. Numerous village meetings took place, with some villages being consulted as many as eight times throughout the process. Pygmy leaders were asked to identify hunting grounds and burial sites so the pipeline could be rerouted to avoid these areas. |
| One question people have is whether anyone will have to move because of the oil development. No one will be moved out of their village in either country because of the pipeline. In the Chad oil field area, 150 families will have to consider resettling. These families will be assisted and appropriately compensated by the Consortium. |
| Numerous studies were conducted to avoid or mitigate project impacts on each plant and animal species in the oil field area and along the pipeline route. In addition, water and air quality issues were addressed during these studies. |
| Former U.S. Ambassador David Miller and others give their views on the project's potential to alleviate poverty and improve social conditions in Chad and Cameroon. |
| World Bank involvement in the project goes beyond loans that will allow Chad and Cameroon to make equity investments in the pipeline. The Bank and the government of Chad have completed work on a Revenue Management Plan which ensures that profits from the pipeline are dedicated to health, education and infrastructure improvements. |