Compliance Advisor Ombudsman

Complaint

The Chad-Cameroon Petroleum Development and Pipeline Project involved the construction of a 1070 km pipeline to transport crude oil from three fields in southwestern Chad to a floating facility 11 km off the Cameroon coast.  IFC's investment consisted of a $100 million loan for its own account and a $100 million loan syndicated to over 15 commercial banks.  IFC's loan to the project remains in place and IFC continues to monitor the environmental and social performance of the project.

In October 2011, Groupe de Recherches Alternatives et de Monitoring du Projet Petrole Tchad-Cameroun (GRAMPTC), in collaboration with six other organizations, filed a complaint to the CAO on behalf of local farmers and other community members affected by the pipeline. The complainants highlighted a number of environmental and social issues relating to poverty exacerbation, land pressure and loss of livelihood, land and water pollution, inadequate compensation, and the lack of adequate monitoring and assessment mechanisms. The complainants are located on the Chadian side of the project and their concerns relate to the Chadian project sponsor, the Tchad Oil Transportation Company (TOTCO).

CAO Action

The CAO found the complaint eligible for further assessment in December 2011 and started working with the relevant parties to explore options for collaborative resolution of the issues raised in the complaint.  

Status

The CAO has finalized its assessment of the complaint and the Assessment Report is available at the links below in English and French, along with IFC's response. The parties have elected to participate in a dispute resolution process facilitated by the CAO.

Updated: November 9, 2012