adminWalter Nyamukondiwa Kariba Bureau
As preliminary work on the 2 400MW Batoka Gorge Hydro Electric Scheme gathers momentum, consultancy findings on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) show that there will be no need for displacements of people and therefore no need to compensation anyone.
On its part, Government has set aside land for the purposes of establishing the Batoka Gorge power project through Statutory Instrument 188 of 2020 without provision for compensation.
It explicitly spells out that it does not intend to displace anyone without fair and adequate compensation, stating that the SI was only aimed at deterring opportunistic settlers.
An assessment on the land identified for the development of the dam, powerhouses, staff accommodation and related infrastructure found that there was no need for resettlement plans as it was not affecting any primary settlements.
Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) chief executive, Engineer Munyaradzi Munodawafa, said a report of the findings has been distributed in the affected districts on both sides of the Zambezi River for scrutiny.
ZRA manages the Zambezi River and attendant infrastructure including the Kariba Dam and Lake, on behalf of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The report, according to ZRA could not be scrutinised and unpacked in the conventional manner owing to the Covid-19 regulations, which prohibit gatherings of people.
“The Government of Zimbabwe has issued a Statutory Instrument 188 of 2020, setting aside the aforesaid land for the purposes of the project.
“The SI neither refers to any compensation process, nor does it seek to displace anyone without fair and adequate compensation but is only a standard excision statute to deter any opportunistic or unscrupulous settlers,” said Eng Munodawafa.
Any adverse effects resulting from the project and mitigatory costs, said Eng Munodawafa, would be factored into the final cost of the project.
“The Authority remains committed to addressing any adverse impacts on the host communities resulting from the implementation of the project by employing international and local best practices in a fair and transparent manner.
“The costs of these mitigatory measures as determined by the consultants, will become part of the project costs with implementation of the measures being mandatory,” he said.
The project is envisaged to improve the life of people who may be resettled for loss of social facilities.
The draft ESIA report has been completed and it looked at livelihood studies of communities to be affected, a household census, socio-economic surveys and asset inventories.
ZRA engaged Environmental Resources Management (ERM) of South Africa in 2014 to undertake the ESIA for the project located 47km downstream of the Victoria Falls.
The ESIA report and the associated Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) carry response plans to potential and real impacts of the project.
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