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

• A relatively homogenous ethnic community meaning similarity in
customary practices;
• Firmly established local leadership structures;
• Significant authority exerted by traditional leaders; and
• Widespread practice of traditional religion.
7.12.1 Impact Description and Significance: Construction
Impact Description
The Project will require a workforce of 500 people during the 24 month
construction phase and it is expected that up to 30 percent or more will be
outsiders from other states or from outside Nigeria.
The Project will also require acquisition of up to 102 ha of land in the area of
the three communities. This will likely require movement of an undetermined
number of sacred sites out of the Project area. The RAP that is currently
underway will look at ways of managing this.
Drawing on the experience of the neighbouring NIPP plant, there may also be
some tension between traditional community leaders and the Project
developers and Edo State Government (a minority equity partner in the
Project).
Impact Significance
The construction phase is expected to incur the following impacts on local
culture:
• Influx of outsiders could disrupt traditional customs in local communities;
• Formal approval and development process of the Project may sideline
traditional leaders, and disrupt existing authority systems; and
• The removal of sacred sites would disrupt local worship practices and
could create significant tension with the communities.
The extent of impacts to cultural institutions is limited primarily to the local
area, namely the three communities of Orior-Osemwende, Ihovbor-Evboeka
and Idunmwowina-Urho-Nisen. However, although the construction phase is
relatively short term, the duration of impacts on cultural institutions such as
traditional leadership and removal of sacred sites could be permanent. Based
on current plans for the Project, as well as precedence set by the neighbouring
NIPP project, the probability of impacts occurring is likely. The localised
extent of impacts to cultural institutions during the construction phase is
offset by the potential permanence of impacts and high likelihood of
occurrence and the overall impact magnitude is considered to be moderate.
The sensitivity of stakeholders to impacts is moderated by the high degree of
allegiance to traditional leadership structures and worship. While the
AZURA EDO IPP
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DRAFT EIA REPORT