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

• Psychological impacts associated with community fear of gas leakage or
explosions from the plant/gas pipeline;
• Impacts to physical health due to community interactions with foreign
workers (and the spread of infectious diseases);
• Safety risk associated with Project traffic; and
• Health impacts associated with Project contamination of surrounding
environment.
By contrast, the majority of positive impacts to physical and psychological
health will occur during the operation phase and will be associated with the
increased availability of electricity in the surrounding communities and the
Project’s annual expenditure on local community programmes (via a social
investment programme that will include health).
Impact Significance
The extent of health impacts is primarily local, with the potential for impacts
associated with traffic and contamination reaching the regional scale. The
duration of impacts will be long-term or permanent, depending on the
severity of health consequences.
Based on current limitations for local employment and contracting, as well as
existing community tension around the neighbouring NIPP Project, it is
possible that local expectations around Project opportunities might not be met.
Interaction between foreign workers and the local communities is also highly
likely, along with associated risks of transmission of disease, particularly STIs.
The Project is likely to improve the overall condition of the roads but it may
also result in an increased number of traffic accidents. In light of these
considerations, the probability of impacts to health is considered likely and
the overall impact is deemed to be minor and negative.
There is a long history of community sabotage of oil and gas pipelines in the
Niger Delta. Edo State is located just north of this area of Nigeria.
Communities routinely tap gas pipelines to obtain condensate that can be sold
illegally. The rate of sabotage of oil pipelines is also high. Communities are
also likely to have a poor understanding of how gas leakages will be managed
by the Project.
The quality of the road system around the Project area is poor, and most
people move between communities in small vehicles, motorcycles or by
bicycle increasing the potential for traffic accidents with Project vehicles.
Transmission of STIs is also a major concern and is surrounded by social
stigma in the Project area, making it even more of a challenge to address. The
sensitivity of the affected communities is influenced by the existing
weaknesses in the health care system, such that changes to the health profile
in the area would not easily be accommodated. Existing challenges with the
current facilities for sanitation and hygiene may also exacerbate any impacts
around physical health. These factors result in a sensitivity of receptors that is
considered to be moderate.
AZURA EDO IPP
7-76
DRAFT EIA REPORT