Incidences socio-économiques et environnementales liées a la construction du barrage hydroélectrique de memve’ele dans l’arrondissement de ma’an (sud Cameroun)

Abstract

To achieve the Millennium Development Goals, the Cameroonian government has decided to boost its energy sector. This is reflected in the construction of hydroelectric power stations and dams in all regions of the country. However, the impacts of the construction of these facilities have been very poorly assessed. The purpose of this study is to assess the socioeconomic and environmental impact of the construction of the Memve'ele hydroelectric dam in the Ma'an district. To achieve this objective, a hypothetico-deductive approach based on documentary research, diachronic analysis, maps studies, observations, interviews, focus groups and a questionnaire survey was adopted. A stratified random sampling technique based on 270 households were used. However, given the difficulties encountered, only 184 questionnaires were administered. The data obtained from these different methods illustrates that the construction of this dam has had beneficial effects for the population, in particular the provision of electricity and, at the same time, new activities that did not exist before, such as the sale of fresh beer, frozen fish; television viewing; and telephony with new professions, such as call-box operators, telephone repairers and electricians. However, this construction is also accompanied by negative aspects, in particular a regression of almost 28% of primary forest, to the benefit of secondary forest, bodies of water, built-up areas, and agricultural area , as well as flooding and the disappearance of certain species. There has also been an increase in the prevalence of certain diseases. In the end, 63% of households thought the dam project was good, 8% thought it was fairly good, and 29% considered it a failure. The recommended solutions to the harmful effects of this project are to implement strategies aimed at reconciling the needs of the local population. This involves, for example, monitoring and anticipating risks, considering multi-sectoral support measures that go beyond simple compensation and indemnification, and proposing genuine strategic plans for preserving the environment and the socio-economic reintegration of the beneficiary populations. This will ensure the sustainable development of the project and improve the living conditions of the local population.