Konso-Yabele road projects EIA, RAP completed : ERA

Addis Ababa, May 18, 2012 (WIC)- The Ethiopian Roads Authority announced the completion of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for the 105-kms Konso-Yabelo Proposed Road Project.

The civil work of the project will be financed by the government and the World Bank.

The Konso- Yabelo road project is part of the road connecting Mojo-Arba Minch Trunk Road to Agremariam – Moyale. The road starts at the outskirts of Konso town located in SNNP State in Southern Ethiopia. It branches off from Konso – Fissehagenet road at approximately 1.5-kms from Konso Town centre and heads towards Southeast to reach Yabelo Town located in the Oromia State.

Passing through Yabelo Town it connects to the main highway from Addis Abaa to Moyale, according to Authority Information and Communication Directorate Director Samuson Wendimu.

The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) of the Konso-Yabelo Road project were commissioned by an international Consultant, RENARDET S.A Consulting Engineers.

Samson also indicated that the primary objective of conducting such studies is to ensure that the environmental and socio-economic effects of the proposed road project is adequately and appropriately considered in the design and construction activities so as to have environmentally sound, socially acceptable and cost wise project.

In line with this, he added, both the EIA and the RAP incorporate and reflect the Constitution, policies, and Proclamations endorsed by the Government related to environmental, social ad cultural resources protection and conservation, incorporate World Bank policies as well as International Conventions and Protocols Ethiopia ratified.

All the potential environmental and social impacts of the road project were identified and implementation of the road project would cause soil erosion due to excavation of soil and clearance of vegetation for widening the road and construction of road embankments.

Regarding the impacts on water resources, the main impacts will likely be a change in the water velocity, flow quantities and water quality. So far, according to the findings of the studies there are no historically, archaeologically and culturally identified sites along the project road that could be impacted by the project, Samson added. To mitigate all environmental impacts and for awareness creation, prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, other STDs and traffic safety hazards 13.6 million birr budget has been allocated.

According to The Ethiopian Herald, Samson further noted that about 33.02 million birr budget has also been allocated to rehabilitate and restore the lives of project affected people.