Yet human rights and environmental groups say the pipeline’s construction is devastating farmlands, polluting water, diminishing rain forests and threatening coastal fishing and tourism economies. Massi Gams said the Pygmy people, who depend on forests for their livelihood, are particularly vulnerable to environmental losses caused by the pipeline’s construction. Human rights groups charge that the oil companies’ compensation plans have failed to take into account the special circumstances of these indigenous people, who hold no legal land rights.

The Chad Cameroon Oil and Pipeline Project is expected to carry up to 225,000 barrels of oil per day from southern Chad to the Atlantic coast of Cameroon. The $3.1 billion project, which is said to be the largest private investment in Africa, is being developed by Exxon, Chevron and Petronas, the state oil company of Malaysia.

Massi Gams said the people in Chad and Cameroon have been promised that revenue from the 665-mile pipeline would enable these countries to improve education, increase social services and build roads. However, revenue payments and projections have not been disclosed, he said.

The declaration that will be considered by WARC asks oil companies to reveal all payments made to African governments. It also urges them to observe “universally accepted human rights” regarding the treatment of workers and populations, the security of oil installations and the protection of the environment.

In addition, the declaration calls on the home governments of the companies to promote democracy, good governance and corporate responsibility.

The declaration also requests Christians around the world to support African churches as they “create opportunities to discuss issues of economic injustice and environmental destruction in our region.” It encourages Christians to organize forums to raise awareness of the “economic and environmental issues involved in the extractive industry sector.”

Massi Gams said the Christian community has a duty to speak out on this issue.