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

vehicles, motorcycles or by bicycle, implying a high risk for accidents between
the public and Project vehicles. There is also a long history of poor
construction practices in Nigeria and so there is a considerable risk of health
and safety accidents to workers if construction of the plant and the gas
pipeline is not carefully managed. Transmission of STIs is a major concern, but
is surrounded by social stigma in the Project area, making it even more of a
challenge to address. The overall sensitivity of the local communities to the
impact on health is considered to be moderate.
Based on these considerations, as well as the fact that some risks (including
those associated with poor construction practices, heavy traffic and
HIV/AIDS and other infectious disease transmission) have potentially fatal
consequences, the negative impacts on community health during the
construction phase are considered to be moderate prior to mitigation; whilst
the positive impacts are considered to be minor.
7.15.2 Impact Description and Significance: Operation
Impact Description
Key concerns related to community health during the operational phase
include the following:
• Limited health care capacity, including lack of facilities and personnel;
• Potential explosions from the gas pipeline due to community sabotage;
• Negative perceptions from the community relating to the fear of gas
leakages from the pipeline;
• Residual tension, associated with frustrated expectations from the
development of the neighbouring NIPP project; and
• Prevailing physical health issues associated with poor hygiene and
sanitation facilities.
As noted previously, the Project has committed to hiring locally where
possible, and there are high expectations within local communities for
employment and contract positions. However, skilled positions will require
some foreign recruitment which implies that workers will almost certainly
have the opportunity to mix with local communities.
The operation phase will also require regular light to medium traffic, using
existing road networks.
The majority of negative impacts to physical and psychological health will
occur during the construction phase, when activities are most hazardous.
Negative impacts during operation are reduced in number, but may include:
• Psychological impacts associated with unmet expectations for local
employment and contract opportunities;
• Psychological impacts associated with community tensions caused or
exacerbated by the Project;
AZURA EDO IPP
7-75
DRAFT EIA REPORT