National Energy Policy - Final Draft - 14 Nov 2013

6.5 DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND MITIGATION1. Natural disasters may be triggered by adverse weather and climate conditions, whereas manmadedisasters may be due to sabotage, human error or technological failure. Governmenttherefore recognises the need to establish appropriate disaster preparedness and mitigationmechanism within the energy sector.2. The following hazards are a constant threat that must be taken into consideration in planningand management of the energy sector:(a) Climate and weather hazards including floods and droughts.(b) Geophysical hazards including earthquakes, faults, volcanic eruptions, subsidence,landslides, blowouts and mud flows.(c) Environmental hazards including soil erosion, siltation and desertification.(d) Industrial accidents, oil spills, human negligence, sabotage through terrorism and otherdeliberate acts and infrastructural systems failure.3. The challenges are mainly in setting up and making operational capacity for disasterpreparedness, management and mitigation. However, this can be addressed through properdisaster preparedness and management mechanisms and practices.6.6 LAND AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS6.6.1 Background1. Energy development projects have various impacts on communities where the projects areimplemented. Key among these is both economic and physical displacement. Physicaldisplacement of project affected people is particularly prevalent in projects such as hydro powerplants requiring water reservoirs, acquisition of way leaves during construction of transmissionlines and pipelines. Others include the concern by local communities that they will not benefitfrom these projects.6.6.2 Challenges1. Absence of a Resettlement Action Plan Framework: Currently, all projects receiving supportby World Bank or IFC are required to develop RAPs. These should be replicated for all projectsand a national framework developed.2. Access to and acquisition of land: Difficulty in the acquisition of sites, way leaves, rights ofway and easements to facilitate energy infrastructure development is an impediment to fasttracking the improvement and upgrading of the energy systems. Further, legal and regulatoryprovisions in the energy sector governing land acquisition and access are inadequate.3. Absence of a comprehensive and fair compensation mechanism for local communities in linewith the requirement of the Constitution (Article 66).101 6.0 – LAND, ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY