Temperature - European Investment Bank

WEST AFRICAN POWER POOL (WAPP) PÖYRY ENERGY LTD.
Mount Coffee HPP ESIA and RAP 2012-09-18
ESIA Report Page 88
13 SETTLEMENTS AND POPULATION
13.1 Theoretical Considerations
Involuntary resettlement triggered by development projects has become a topic of
increasing importance. While such a resettlement can be caused by different kinds of
projects, it is often of special importance in dam projects, due to the fact that reservoirs
often occupy a considerable area, and that human populations have a tendency to be
concentrated along rivers. The main reasons for these concentrations are the presence of
fertile alluvial soils in river valleys, as well as the fact that rivers provide water, food
(fisheries), and transportation routes (directly, in case of navigable rivers, or by roads
following the valleys). This can create major conflicts between projects and the interests
of the local population.
The World Bank played a major role in formulating policies as guidelines for such
resettlement efforts. The core point of all such policies consists in the principle of fair
compensation for lost assets. The aim of any resettlement program must be to protect
project affected persons (PAP) from impoverishment due to the project. As a minimum,
after resettlement such persons should be at the same (economic) level as they were
before, and if possible their situation should improve (benefit sharing). These principles
are by now generally accepted standards.
13.2 Methodology
The method used to gather information for this chapter is a combination of literature,
desk study and site visits. Most of the general socio-economic data for the country will
be found in Annex 13, showing the country profile data and socio-economic indicators.
The World Bank website and the UNDP Human Development Report, 2011 are the
main sources. At present there is an ongoing household (HH) survey to collect detailed
data on the most likely to be affected households (HHs). Consultation with local leaders
and administration to solicit information on settlements has also contributed to
information gathered on the project area. Key Informant Survey (KIS) and Emic – story
telling have been used to gather information on the village profiles, the methodology
combined is the rural rapid assessment for the village profiles.
13.3 Present Situation
13.3.1 Economy
The settlements are either villages or towns and for convenience sake, these will be
referred to as settlements.
Locals or residents of the project area are basically involved in fishing, farming,
charcoal production and gold mining as their source of livelihood. They transport farm
produce to Monrovia markets, which are approximately 25 kilometres away from their
respective communities (project site). Local markets which are set up in the settlements
are of rudimentary structures with stalls made up of bamboo sticks. The settlements’ big
market is located in Bensonville, and this market’s main operation day is Saturday. For
additional produce not sent to Monrovia, Bensonville market remains the main trading