Deal #8723

Community states that no consultation occurred. Seems that the community have a lack of clarity about the project activities.

"November 2021, the Collective of Upper and Lower Banio communities in Nyanga province, Gabon, released the Bana / Mayumba Declaration in which they call for the suspension of the GRANDE MAYUMBA project ". The communities want the government to cancel the lease.

The Grande Mayumba project has not explicitly reported any forced displacements of local populations. However, community members and civil society groups have raised significant concerns regarding restrictions on land use that effectively limit access to traditional livelihoods, such as fishing and agriculture. These restrictions, associated with the project’s conservation areas and its impact on the marine and coastal zones, have been perceived as a form of indirect displacement.

The Grande Mayumba project has had adverse effects on local communities, primarily by restricting access to vital resources and disrupting traditional livelihoods. Coastal protection measures have limited artisanal fishers' access to fishing grounds, crucial for their economic stability. Additionally, land reallocation for conservation or commercial activities has reduced areas available for agriculture, raising concerns about food security among community members. The increased presence of wildlife in designated conservation zones has heightened risks of human-wildlife conflicts, particularly affecting farms near these areas.

Over the next few years, more than US$160 million will be invested in commercial activities and infrastructure in Grande Mayumba generating substantial socio-economic benefits. Over the next 5 years, Grande Mayumba is investing upwards of USD 200 million in agribusiness, forestry and timber processing, eco-tourism, logistics services, together with municipal infrastructure including the road networks, housing, electricity, water, sanitation, healthcare and educational services necessary to support the influx of up to 30,000 people into Mayumba town and the surrounding area.

The World Rainforest Movement (WRM) has been particularly active in raising concerns about the Grande Mayumba project's impact on local livelihoods and lack of meaningful consultation with communities. WRM has documented and amplified the grievances of local residents, focusing on restricted access to essential fishing and agricultural areas, which raises concerns about food security. Through advocacy efforts, WRM has highlighted these issues at international forums, advocating for the rights of local communities affected by the project​.