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

for impacts to demographics during construction, so that this is considered to
be moderate prior to mitigation.
7.11.2 Impact Description and Significance: Operation
Impact Description
The operational phase of the Project is expected to begin in 2015 and continue
for approximately 20 years. This phase is currently estimated to require 90
direct permanent employees (including 50 permanent site employees and 40
ancillary/ contract workers). Where the skills base exists, Azura Power and
its contractors will source these positions from the Project area: based on the
assessed workforce capacity in the region. Employment opportunities that
will be made available and the stakeholder expectations (particularly of the
three communities) in this regard must be managed appropriately. The
majority of local and regional recruitment will be for semi-skilled and
unskilled positions (eg kitchen staff, security guards, cleaners). It is expected
that at least 15 percent of the workforce will be sourced from outside the state,
or from outside Nigeria.
During operation, the plant will be operated on a 24 hour, seven days a week
basis. Thus control room operators, general operators and watch keepers will
work on rotating shifts; however, plans for accommodation of the operational
workforce are yet to be developed.
The impacts of the Project on the demographic profile of the area during the
operational phase are expected to be more or less similar to those identified
for the construction phase, described above. These include:
• Reversal of youth outmigration trends and increase in youth demographic;
• Population increase due to influx of opportunistic job seekers and
operation workforce; and
• Change to the ethnic structure of the local area, created by non-local
workforce.
In contrast to the construction phase, demographic change during operations
are less likely to be male specific, as the long-term nature of opportunities
with the Project will encourage successful candidates to come with, or
establish families.
Depending on how this workforce is managed and the degree to which it
intermingles with the community, this could have a noticeable impact on the
community, particularly in light of existing tensions. However, it is unlikely
that foreign Project workers will actually reside within the local area; based on
the limited capacity of the communities, it can be assumed that workers from
outside will either be housed on site in Project accommodation, or will find
housing in Benin City.
AZURA EDO IPP
7-58
DRAFT EIA REPORT