Fama Sarr: GTA ESIA Non-Compliance Impacts Senegal Fishing

• Fama Sarr, a community leader, alleges that BP and Cosmos have not adequately followed Environmental and Social Impact Assessment recommendations for the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim gas project.
• Fishing communities in Langue de Barbarie denounce their insufficient involvement in the GTA project, which began seismic research in 2014.
• Key community concerns include the project's effects on fishing, coastal erosion, the Senegal River mouth, and the establishment of fishmeal factories.
• Communities are demanding that public authorities revise GTA contracts, recalling an electoral campaign promise to do so.
• Fama Sarr has called on the government to release ESIA studies and monitoring mechanisms, while Greenpeace has trained community members in advocacy.

The public denunciation of alleged Fama Sarr GTA ESIA non-compliance signals increased vigilance from local communities and NGOs, potentially leading to heightened reputational and legal risks for companies that do not rigorously adhere to Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Senegal recommendations and robust community engagement protocols.

Fishing communities residing in Senegal's Langue de Barbarie region have voiced significant concerns regarding their involvement in the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project. Fama Sarr, a prominent seafood processor and the deputy secretary of the local artisanal fishing council, publicly articulated these grievances during a Greenpeace workshop held in Saint-Louis. She contends that the affected populations should have been integrated into the project's processes from its very inception, specifically since seismic research activities commenced in 2014.

Sarr, acting as a community leader, highlighted a range of pressing issues stemming from the ongoing gas exploitation. These include the potential adverse effects on local fishing livelihoods, the escalating problem of coastal erosion, the precarious state of the Senegal River mouth, and the establishment of fishmeal factories in the area. Her statements underscore a deep-seated dissatisfaction among the Langue de Barbarie fishing communities regarding the project's management and its perceived impacts.

Central to Fama Sarr's critique is the assertion that multinational corporations involved in the GTA project, specifically BP and Cosmos, have failed to adequately implement the recommendations outlined in their Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) studies. She explicitly stated that certain measures designed to mitigate the project's environmental and social consequences are not being sufficiently followed, directly pointing to Fama Sarr GTA ESIA non-compliance. These declarations, which were reported by Seneweb, coincide with a broader demand from the communities for public authorities to revise the existing GTA contracts.

Sarr further recalled that a commitment to review these contracts had been made during a prior electoral campaign, suggesting a breach of public trust. In light of these concerns, she has formally requested that the government disclose the relevant ESIA studies and the associated monitoring mechanisms to the public. This call for transparency aims to ensure accountability and provide communities with the necessary information to assess the project's true impact and the efficacy of mitigation efforts within the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim environmental impact framework.

To bolster their advocacy efforts, fishermen, seafood processors, and other community representatives recently participated in specialized training focused on public advocacy, organized by Greenpeace. This initiative underscores the growing determination of local populations to actively engage with and influence the development trajectory of the Senegal gas project community concerns. Fama Sarr emphasized the communities' expectation for governmental action, stating that they are "waiting for the government" to address their grievances and ensure adherence to environmental and social safeguards.

The ongoing scrutiny surrounding the BP Cosmos Senegal ESIA and the broader Grand Tortue Ahmeyim project highlights a critical juncture for multinational corporations operating in Senegal's burgeoning energy sector. The public denunciation of alleged Fama Sarr GTA ESIA non-compliance signals increased vigilance from local communities and NGOs, potentially leading to heightened reputational and legal risks for companies that do not rigorously adhere to Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Senegal recommendations and robust community engagement protocols. This situation could prompt demands for contract renegotiation or regulatory intervention, making compliance paramount.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising multinational corporations operating in Senegal, particularly in the energy sector, should review their clients' adherence to Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) recommendations and community engagement protocols. This public denunciation signals increased scrutiny and potential legal or reputational risks for non-compliance, potentially leading to demands for contract renegotiation or regulatory intervention.

Source: Original reporting via Seneweb