Summary
little time for training. Once the pipeline becomes operational, only a few
maintenance and monitoring jobs will be required.
Results of this EA, combined with the start of detailed engineering
design in late 2005, have prompted consideration of a modified routing of
the pipeline in the eastern part of the assessed alignment. This re-route
of some 60 km would follow a more southerly course from Fanovana to
the coast and appears to have some constructability and environmental
advantages. Specifically, it avoids running close to the east side of
Mantadia National Park. This change, once fully developed and
confirmed to be an improvement to the current routing, would be
submitted as an EA amendment, supplementing the assessment
provided here.
Key Impacts and Mitigation
Main issues identified through consultation and through the professional
experience of the Malagasy and international EA team included:
•
compensation for any needed re-settlement, damage to crops and
livestock, or hindrance to movement;
•
concern over safety should the pipeline break during operations;
•
the possibility of new roads associated with the pipeline were viewed
positively, however there was concern that outsiders could come in
and exploit the pipeline area;
•
fragmentation effects on the Ankeniheny–Zahamena Forest Corridor,
which would negatively affect biodiversity; and
•
effects on water quality, fish and other aquatic resources at stream
crossings, including in the Torotorofotsy Wetlands.
Socioeconomics
As for other project sites, consultation showed that economic
opportunities created by the pipeline are of great interest to people.
Whereas it is the project’s policy to maximize local employment and
procurement and to provide training, the pipeline provides fewer jobs
than other sites and almost all during the construction phase.
The pipeline construction process has job skill and health and safety
requirements that will make it difficult to employ many people. As well,
given only a short presence of construction crews along any given
stretch of pipeline and a tight schedule, there will be fewer training
opportunities than at other project sites. Total labour requirements
during construction for the pipeline would be around 800 people of
which, about 345 would be local. Employment of local people would
mainly be in support of construction and reclamation activities. The
workforce requirement for the operations phase is very small and
occasional. The remoteness and rural nature of the local economies
Economic
opportunities
January 2006
Ambatovy Project — 22
