January 30, 2007—The World Bank continues to monitor the Cameroon oil spill to determine its causes, assess any immediate consequences and gain lessons to help improve preparedness in the future. On January 23 and 24 World Bank staff traveled to Kribi, Cameroon and its environs to contact government officials, officials with the Cameroon Oil Transport Co., local decision-makers, media, civil society leaders, and villagers. The Bank team also visited areas at sea and on land that might be affected by the spill, which occurred January 15.
After gathering information during the various discussions, the World Bank Group expressed concerns to the Government of Cameroon on several issues: the apparent delay in putting into motion its Area Specific Oil Response Plan; and the prolonged absence of information to stakeholders, especially local authorities, populations and other partners on the project such as the World Bank. The Bank also underscored the urgency of making effective the National Oil Spill Response Plan (NOSRP) and putting in place the measures that would provide civil protection in the event of a major spill. The Bank also is recommending to the Government to coordinate its NOSRP with similar instruments in effect in neighboring Gulf of Guinea countries, in order to reinforce cooperation in preventing and responding to oil spills.
The World Bank strongly recommended that the Government organize a workshop with all stakeholders to discuss COTCO's reports on the spill and the analysis of its short- and long-term impacts.
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