World Bank Approves Controversial Chad-Cameroon Oil Pipeline Project.

• Author: Runyan, Curtis
• Position: Brief Article

The World Bank on June 6 voted to support the controversial Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline, lending $192 million for the project despite warnings from environmental and human rights groups that the plan does not incorporate adequate safeguards to protect the environment and local communities (see Environmental Intelligence, July/August). The bank said the project, which includes several social programs designed to aid communities that will be affected by the pipeline, is "an unprecedented framework to transform oil wealth into direct benefits for the poor, the vulnerable, and the environment."

The $3.5 billion project, led by a consortium that includes ExxonMobil and Chevron...