Azura-Edo Independent Power Plant Environmental Impact ... - IFC

analysis are both qualitative and quantitative and derived from key informant
interviews, village-level surveys and focus group discussions.
Demographics
The proposed Project is located in Uhunmwode LGA of Edo State, which
occupies an area of 2,033 km 2 . The 2006 population of the LGA recorded 120,813
inhabitants, 53 percent of which were male and 47 percent of which were female
(National Nigerian Population Commission, 2006).
The main ethnic groups in Edo State are Bini (also referred to as Edo), Afemai,
Esan, Owan and Akoko Edo. Non-indigenous peoples living in the Project area
include Urobos, Ishan, Ora, Efik, Ijaws, Hausas, Ibos and Yorubas, as well as a
small number of Ghanaians and Togolese. In line with national and state level
trends, the population of all three communities is fairly youthful. Residents
reported noticing an increase in youth populations in the area, due to the
presence of construction work at the site for the neighbouring NIPP.
Traditional religion is widely practiced in the study area which includes visiting
and presenting sacrifices to sacred sites in and around the communities. While
some of these sacred sites are located within the communities, many are located
in nearby forests. These forest areas are very important to the communities and
the only activity that is permitted is worship of the traditional gods (ie no
economic activity is permitted). Christianity and Islam are also widely practiced,
often alongside traditional religious practices. There are no reports of tension
between religious groups in the Project area.
The communities of Orior-Osemwende, Ihovbor-Evboeka and Idunmwowina-
Urho-Nisen will be affected by the Project activities. These lie within Omagbae
South Ward Six of the Uhunmwode LGA in Edo State, Nigeria. The
demographics of each of the communities is outlined in Box 1 below.
AZURA EDO IPP
XV
DRAFT EIA REPORT