Independent Investigation Mechanism

Cana Brava Hydroelectric Project

(Project No. BR-0304; Loan No. 1260A/OC-BR)

Notice

 

A communication sent on May 10, 2002, by a representative of the Coordenação do Movimento dos Atingidos pela Usina Cana Brava (MAB) on behalf of residents of the communities of Minaçu and Cavalcante, Brazil, requested an investigation pursuant to the Bank's Independent Investigation Mechanism. The Mechanism Coordinator received the request on June 4, 2002. The communication alleged possible violations of Bank operational policies relating to involuntary resettlement and electric energy in relation to private sector loan BR-0304 for the Cana Brava Hydroelectric Project on the Tocantins River in Goias, Brazil.

Additional information and original documentation were requested, and were provided in the following months. An official mission traveled to Brazil in November 2002 to resolve remaining questions concerning the identities of the requesting parties and to confirm the authorization of their representative.

Following the mission to Brazil, the request was determined to have satisfied all of the procedural requirements for operation of the Mechanism.

As required by paragraph 4.3 of the Mechanism, the request was reviewed by a consulting member of the Mechanism Roster, who determined that the request was substantive and not frivolous.

Pursuant to paragraph 4.4 of the Mechanism, the Bank's management submitted a response to the request on May 10, 2003.

On May 16, 2003, the consulting member of the Roster was asked to review the request and the Management response and to prepare a recommendation to the Bank's Board of Executive Directors on whether an investigation should be authorized. The consulting member's report is pending.

 

September 5, 2003