Temperature - European Investment Bank

WEST AFRICAN POWER POOL (WAPP) PÖYRY ENERGY LTD.
Mount Coffee HPP ESIA and RAP 2012-09-18
ESIA Report Page 131
these services could also be made available for the population of nearby villages. Other
potential improvements in regional health services will be discussed in the RAP.
Improvement in hygienic conditions and nutritional status
Indeed the predominant causes of waterborne diseases are parasites, bacteria and
viruses. Infection occurs through consumption of contaminated water sources by
humans in daily activities (bathing, leaching, defecation and various grooming) and also
by straying animals. Artisanal fisheries will provide fisheries resources, especially fish
that will complement the traditional diet generally poor in calories and animal proteins.
Possible reduction of the River Blindness disease
During the reservoir filling, large blackfly breeding sites will be submerged and
replaced with virtually stagnant surface water, reducing blackflies population and in
fine, the transmission of onchocerciasis. The effect of the project on blackfly breeding
sites in the downstream area (reduction of river flow between main dam/spillway and
outlet of the tailrace channel should be monitored.
Negative impacts
Possible increase in malaria prevalence
The two districts are mosquito-infested that require regular malaria prevention and
control measures, especially during the malaria transmission period running from May
through October (seasonal fluctuations with a peak around August). The Reservoir will
cause the elevation of groundwater level and flood terrestrial fauna and flora.
Subsequently, the aquatic environment will gradually move from an oligotrophic state,
characterized by a low concentration of organics to a trophic status marked by the
abundance of organic elements. This will have direct and indirect impacts on local
population by creating breeding sites for arthropods and snails.
Introduction of new diseases
As noted above, the transformations due the dam may induce changes of the microenvironments.
The modification of the groundwater may create favourable conditions for
development of some parasites and/or their vectors. As a component of the pathogen
complex (pathogen, host and vector), we can expect not only the development of existing
diseases, but also the emergence of new ones favoured by modifications in ecological
niches due to the imbalance between environmental and population pressures (yellow
fever, trypanosomiasis, schistosomiasis).
17.4 Mitigation Measures
Health coverage
The rehabilitation and/or equipment of one of the most closed clinics like Arthington or
White Plains clinics and the provision of minimum equipment is necessary to take care
of emergency (that might arise during the construction phase) before referring to JFK
Hospital. It is not important to install a medical center in the camp, but to improve one
of the existing clinics that will benefit to the local population after the dam construction.
This takes into account: the provision of basic supplies, the supply of essential drugs,