Story, Louvier Kindo Tombe
Despite promises of electricity, jobs, and infrastructure, the dam’s construction has displaced communities, destroyed livelihoods, and ravaged the environment.
According to a recent study by ACES (African Conservation and Environmental Sustainability) Cameroon, the dam’s impacts are far-reaching and devastating.
The results was presented and examined during a pivotal workshop that held in Yaounde on January 24, 2025 at the conference hall of Green Development Advocates (GDA), a civil society organization.
The workshop brought together 12 Civil Society Organizations under the IFI Monitor Group (a network of civil society organizations working to monitor the impact of projects funded by large international financial institutions).
The key take home from the workshop was that the project continues to pose significant challenges for local communities.
The issues of water logging and the loss of ancestral land have severely impacted the livelihoods and well-being of local communities.
During the workshop, participants worked collaboratively to document policy recommendations aimed at ameliorating the adverse impacts of similar projects in the future. The policy paper would be ready early February.
Floods and seasonal changes have destroyed arable land, leaving some families without a steady income.
The displacement and resettlement of entire villages have torn communities apart, erasing sacred sites, graves, and cultural heritage.
“The people of Lom Pangar deserve more than just empty promises,” says Bih Cecile, in charge of Biodiversity and Community Development at ACES.
“They deserve a future where their livelihoods are protected, their culture is preserved, and their environment is restored.”
While the dam has increased Cameroon’s energy production and reduced reliance on fossil fuels, ACES is pressing for more action to mitigate its negative impacts.
By engaging local communities, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and implementing environmental mitigation measures, it is possible to reduce the dam’s devastating effects and foster a more equitable future.
As the people of Lom Pangar continue to suffer, ACES is calling on the government and dam authorities to take immediate action to address the humanitarian and environmental crisis unfolding in the riparian communities involved.
Talking to members of the affected communities, ACES noticed that “the time for empty promises is over; it’s time for concrete action to protect the rights and livelihoods of the riparian communities”.
