THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF THECAMEROON-TCHAD PIPELINE PROJECT ON
AGRICULTURE IN THE RURAL ZONE OF BIPINDI (CAMEROON)
Paul SOP *, MM KANA SOP** and FONDO SIKOD***
* Corresponding author, Ing. MSc. Ministry of Town planning and Housing, Survey
Department, PO Box 716 Yaoundé,Cameroon. E-mail: soppaul@vahoo.fr
** Lecturer, University of Douala Biochemist/Nutritionist. E-mail: kanamod(z yahoo.com
*** Senior Lecturer, Economist, University of SOA, Cameroon.
Keywords: Agriculture, land, environment, population, Economy, Pipe line- Tchad-Cameroon
ABSTRACT
The aim of the study is to find out < the Economic Effects of the Chad-Cameroon Pipeline Project on Agriculture in the rural arca of
BIPINDI (Cameroon) >. We want to study the activities of the neighbouring population which are linked to agriculture. The
objective of our research is to study the influence on agricultures economic incomes and the management modalities of unforeseen
circumstances related to the pipeline in this Zone from 1995 to 2002. This will help us to determine the living standard of the
affected population. It will also help us to analyse the consequences of the project on the education of children and health care. It will
finally help us to suggest a method of maximum management impact of the project in the household.
We have selected six villages for our investigation and «Stratified Random Sampling» method was use to select the household
affected. We came out with 334 households selected out of 454 censured in 1997 by COTCO (Cameroon oil transportation
company ) for a percentage of 73.54 %. This data has been analysed on the base of Cost Benefit Analysis Method and also by Project
Effect. The result obtained permit us to conclude that there has been reduction of production hence a fall in revenues from agriculture
produce.
The consequences of this were seen on reduction of the number of children attending school and increase of number of sick people in
hospitals. Consequently we have proposed the optimum management approach concerning this project.
1. INTRODUCTION
The tracing of Pipe line Tchad — Cameroon crosses Cameroon maritime opening. Because of this geographical situation, a
on about 880 km. A line of three meters was defined as syndicate has been created between ESSO (Exploration, and
itinerary of the project and cultures have been destroyed, Tchad productions), the Tchadian SHELL society of research
during the recognition phase. The final phase will destroy and exploration, ELF Hydrocarbon in Tchad and the COTCO
from 30 to 60 m wide on all the tracing. The population is (Cameroon oil transportation company) with the Republics of
made up of farmers and is going to be seriously affected with Tchad and Cameroon Consortium to offer a favourable
the destruction of plant, food crops with harmful effects on maritime opening for the exportation of Tchadian oil on
boarding populations' socio-economic incomes, leading to international markets. The boarding population of the Tchad-
foods insecurity, buying power and primary health care. The Cameroon pipeline on the Cameroon side are farmers and
geographical situation influences the nature of soil and the traditionally release on their farms for their survival. Another
cultivated areas. Our zones of investigation belong to the difficulty is that indigenous farming which is site specific is
tropical rain forest. The villages investigated are situated in the going to be seriously affected by the pipe line layout. The role
maritime zone. At the ecological level, there are apprchensions of farming in the inhabitants! economy was thus seriously
on the destruction of flora and fauna, of the ecosystem and of affected. On the other hand, the fields were forbidden for new
the soil...etc. The fragility of the soil refers to the degree to cultivation by the COTCO. So several households and chiefs of
which the specific property like geomorphologic aspects can be households waited harder for compensations from the phase of
maintained in the project during the execution phase the launching of the project for three 4 years ago pipeline. They
(scheduling, construction, functioning....etc.) The soils of this abandoned their agricultural activities and were reduced to
zone represent a major natural mass that plays an important excess consumption of alcohol. This work was carry out to
role in the vital functions for the production of the biomass (in investigate the influence of the project on this boarding
term of production of cultures and vegetation) or of the habitat populations and their ability to maintain or enhance
for the living creatures. It is an immense reservoir of the environmental quality of life, to satisfy their future socicty
ecosystem (1). needs of food and fibres, and to assure their economic and
A reserve of oil has been discovered in DOBA (TCHAD). This social well-being.
country is one of the African countries that doesn't have a
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