Chevron Gas Pipeline Projected Investigated by World Bank

Twelve communities in Nigeria filed complaints earlier this month with the World Bank against Chevron's oil pipeline project stating grievances related to the project's social and environmental impacts and overall safety concerns, as reported in a media release by Friends of the Earth International.

The project under question, the West-African Gas Pipeline project is proposed by Chevron and supported by the World Bank. A week after the UK Parliament announced an investigation into World Bank effectiveness. The World Bank Inspection Panel has said it will investigate the "conflicting assertions" made by the Nigerian communities and World Bank officials.

The media release states that what is being disputed is the "cause of pollution in the lagoon and alleged damage to fisheries," as well as assessment, compensation, and information sharing. The Nigerian communities' complaint to the World Bank, which was filed in April of 2006, stated that "We believe that the West-African Gas Pipeline project...would do irreparable damage to the land and consequently, destroy the livelihoods of the 12 communities." They further raised concern about the project's failure to make a meaningful contribution to gas flaring reduction.

The World Bank supported Chevron pipeline project was supposed to help end gas flaring, but no proof that flaring would stop has been offered to date. Gas flaring is the process by which the gas by-product of oil is burned off. Flaring releases sulfur, which is fatal to crops, deteriorates the land, and causes breathing difficulties for humans. Furthermore, this sulfur makes its way into the surface water, drinking water and eventually ground water supplies as it descends as acid rain.

The investigation into Chevron's activities and projects in Nigeria will also open a collateral investigation into World Bank practices as a question is growing as to whether the World Bank is the appropriate institution to fund and then oversee projects that deal with development and climate change. The UK Parliamentary investigation into World Bank effectiveness centers around the question of whether the UK's "priorities...particularly in climate change, can be pursued effectively through World Bank funding," according to Friends of the Earth.

According to the media release, further West-African Gas project concerns to be investigated by the World Bank Inspection Panel are Nigerians' "serious concerns regarding the valuation of assets and procedures for compensation." There is also a great concern over attaining trustworthy information about the implementation of the project. Specifically, the project purchases land from farmers, yet there is no oversight as to whether the compensation the farmers receive is adequate. There are also concerns about the sufficiency of pipeline safety measures. Further, the Nigerians' are not satisfied as to information about the projects environmental impact.

Janneke Bruil of Friends of the Earth International said, "The question on the table is whether the World Bank is the right institution to deal with development and climate change."

Media Advisory, "Chevron's Nigeria Pipeline under Investigation." Friends of the Earth International. URL: http://www.foei.org/en/media/archive/2007/chevrons-nigeria-pipeline-under-investigation/