World Bank discloses comments on EIA for Lom Pangar hydroelectric dam

11 October 2006

In a written response to civil society organizations, the World Bank has agreed to disclose its comments on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the planned Lom Pangar hydroelectric project in eastern Cameroon.

The Bank's letter responded to repeated civil society requests made in April, May and June 2006, that it publish its comments on the environmental studies of the dam. Although the Bank has not yet provided any financing for the Lom Pangar project, it did agree to advise the government on the quality of the enviornmental and social impact studies and proposed mitigation measures. The Bank's comments were initially presented to the government of Cameroon in December 2005, and until now have remained unavailable to the public.

While the World Bank is reportedly in dialogue with the government of Cameroon about the prospects of financing the project, it clarified in its response that it "has not given any indication or commitment to date of its intention to provide financial support for the LP project."

Civil society remains concerned about the government of Cameroon's approach to energy sector development, which appears to prioritize industrial energy needs over those of the predominantly rural poor.

World Bank letter to civil society on Lom Pangar EIA, October 4, 2006 (Acrobat pdf 83 KB)

World Bank comments on Lom Pangar EIA (Français), December 16, 2005 (Acrobat pdf 69 KB) (World Bank website)

Matrix of World Bank comments on Lom Pangar EIA, December 16, 2005 (Acrobat pdf 318 KB) (World Bank website)

Letter to the World Bank requesting the disclosure of its comments on Lom Pangar's EIA, IRN and BIC, May 24, 2006 (Acrobat pdf 64 kb)