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

Impact Significance
The extent of impacts to demographics during the operations phase will
remain largely contained within the Project-affected communities, and will
therefore be local in nature. The duration of impacts associated with the
operations phase will be long term, continuing for the life of the Project and
ceasing when the Project stops operating. In some cases, impacts will be of
shorter term, particularly if opportunistic job seekers who are unable to secure
work leave the area. The probability of impacts, however, is highly likely,
based on past experience in the region and current conditions. The overall
magnitude is considered moderate.
As discussed above, the small and ethnically homogenous, nature of the three
affected communities increases their sensitivity to the arrival of newcomers,
particularly foreigners. However, this will be balanced by the fact that the
communities live on the outskirts of Benin City and so will be used to
outsiders and the low numbers of staff employed during operation. The
sensitivity of the receptors is considered to be low.
The assessed significance of impacts to demographics during operations is
judged to be negative and minor.
7.11.3 Impact Description and Significance: Decommissioning
Impact Description
Azura Power expects that up to 100 workers will be required for the
decommissioning of the power plant and will require the EPC contractor to
source at least 70 percent of the workers from within 30 km of the site. This
implies a foreign workforce of roughly 30 percent from outside the region.
Decommissioning and closure of the Project will bring an end to the direct and
indirect employment opportunities. Without parallel development of
alternative industries or job sectors in the area, it is likely that this would
result in the following impacts to demographic profile:
• Decline in population, as people seek alternative employment elsewhere;
• Rebalance of age demographic, as youth would be most likely to leave; and
• Some loss of ethnic diversity, as the outside workforce departs the region.
Impact Significance
The extent of impacts will be felt primarily at the local and regional levels,
which is where the Project workforce will have settled during Project
operations. The duration of impacts from decommissioning will be
permanent. Population decline following closure of a major facility is a wellunderstood
and documented impact of decommissioning; however, due to the
level of uncertainty around the future socio-economic context and
decommissioning plans, the probability of impacts can only be assessed as
likely. The overall impact magnitude is considered to be low- moderate.
AZURA EDO IPP
7-59
DRAFT EIA REPORT