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

impacts were considered to be negligible or insignificant prior mitigation. The
impacts of greenhouse gases during operation are considered to remain
significant, as there are no suitable mitigation measures available to reduce
these emissions. The only other residual negative impact with significance
ratings of moderate is the impact on soils and geology during construction, ,
however, the severity of these impacts could be reduced to acceptable levels
though the mitigation identified in the report.
A number of positive impacts were identified; the impacts to the national
economy and local employment were assessed to be of major significance
post-mitigation. The positive impacts of the Project on employment and
economic impacts are considered to remain of major significance with
enhancement measures. Positive impacts on infrastructure are also
considered to be moderate positive during operation.
Although there is a post-mitigation impact as a result of the production of
greenhouses gases which is considered to be significant, the residual impacts
on economy and employment are positive and of major significance. In the
context of the severe electricity supply deficit in Nigeria and the dependency
of economic growth and development on the availability of power, there is a
reasonable justification for the authorisation of the power plant, contingent
that the mitigation and enhancement measures described in the EIA and
monitoring for potential environmental and social effects are implemented.
Apart from those cumulative impacts considered to be minor, cumulative
impacts on physical and economic resettlement and the demographic profile
were considered to be minor – moderate due to existing influx from the
construction of the neighbouring NIPP facility as well as current disputes in
the communities regarding compensation and NIPP project benefits. The
cumulative impact on biodiversity was assessed to be moderate negative due
to the presence of a number of vulnerable species and cumulative noise
impacts at four closest receptors were considered to be major prior to
mitigation and insignificant with the implementation of mitigation measures.
The overall positive cumulative impact of the Project was assessed to be
moderate.
AZURA EDO IPP
11-2
DRAFT EIA REPORT