. . -1 .’

i ’ TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAMME

3. DESCRII’TION OF THE AREA OF IMPACT

4. POTENTIAL IMPACT AND MITIGATING MEASURES

5. ALTERNATIVES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME 12

6. SENSITIZATION CONCERNING THE ENVIRONMENT 12

7. SOCIO-CULTURAL HERITAGE AND VALUES 12

8. COMPENSATION FOR EXPRORIATION 13

9. ASSESSMENT OF THE COST OF MITIGATING MEASURES 13

10. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 14

11. REFERENCES 14

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 This environmental impact assessment concerns upgrading of the existing Fougamou--NdendC and Lebamba-NdendC-Tchibanga road sections and rehabilitation of the Gare Octra- and Port-Gentil-Mandorove roads.

1.2 All roadwork, regardless of the state (rehabilitation or upgrading), affects the environment. The impact is more substantial where roads cross environmentally- sensitive areas. Given the importance of the roads concerned their location and their direct or induced impacts, this programme is classified in category I. An environmental impact assessment has thus been conducted and this paper presents its principal conclusions.

1.3 has prepared an environmental code (No. 16/93 of August 1993, concerning protection and improvement of the environment). Article 67 of this code requires an environmental impact study for all industrial, agricultural, urban, rural, mining or other work, construction or modifications undertaken by the public authorities and public and private companies which, because of their scale or, ecological implications, &-e likely to harm the environment.

1.4 It is in conformity with the said law and in keeping with the Bank’s environmental policy concerning categorization that the impact assessment has been conducted. This study aims to identify, foresee and evaluate the environmental impacts of the roadworks envisaged under the programme, and also. propose means of attenuating the adverse effects while maximizing the environmental benefits. To that end, the study has included the following sectoral analyses:

9 data collected on the environmental and socio-economic conditions and institutional, legislative and administrative frameworks; in addition to direct consultation of government technical services,. economic operators, local authorities, NGOs and representatives of communities along the roads concerned;

ii) evaluation of the various significant environmental impacts;

iii) identification of measures intended to reduce negative impacts;

iv) estimate of approximate cost of measures; and

4 identification of a unit to carry out appropriate remedial measures aimed at reducing the negative effects, and the environmental audit.

The two consulting firms have undertaken appreciable sitework. There have been several visits to the sites and the population has generally been involved, through its representatives in villages and district headquarters. I 2

I 1.5 The impact assessment includes the description of the programme, a definition of the environment in the study area, identification and description of the impacts on the environment, proposal of mitigating measures, estimates of {he cost of measures and the unit to monitor their implementation.

1.6 The two firms conducting the study are: ! /I 9 Bureau Etude, Conseils et Assistance Technique (BECAT] for the Port-Gentil- Mandorove et Gare Octra-Owendo sections; and / I ii) SociCtC Nouvelle Gabonaise d’Etude (SNGE) for. the Fougamou-Mouila- NdendC and Lebamba-Ndende-Tchibanga sections. ,

1.7 The consultants have respected the relevant European legislation (Directive 85/3J/CEE), the guidelines on impact assessment studies prepared by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, and also Gabonese legisl&ion (No. 16/93 du 26/08/93) concerning protection and improvement of the environment.

2. DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAMME I 2.1 The road programme comprises: ,

upgrading of the Fougamou-Mouila-Ndende road (17F km) upgrading of the Lebamba-NdendC-Tchibanga road (124 km) rehabilitation and renovation of the Port-Gentil-Mandorove road (33 km) rehabilitation and renovation of Gare Octra-Owendo express way (2x5 km)

2.2 These rehabilitation or upgrading works will concern a conventional surfaced carriageway, 9 metres wide with two shoulders, each one metre wide, and also water and drainage structures and posting of road signs. The two sections of the expressway will be surfaced with asphaltic concrete; each will be 7.60 m with 2.50 m wide shoulders, and double surface dressing and will also require adjustment of a platform and appropriate water and drainage structures. Particular attention will be paid to the following works:

I - crossroads with multiple junctions, I - crossroads with asymmetrical connecting roads, - T junctions with asymmetrical connecting roads, I - level crossings for the secondary feeder roads, I - transfer of networks (electricity, water, telephone), an{ - replanting in areas affected by the project. I 2.3 The roads concerned by the programme are currently in a deplorable state. They become dangerous during the rainy season (9 months a year) and access to the towns and markets is extremely difficult. With tarred roads, not only would road accidents be reduced, but also travel time, making journeys more comfortable and pleasant. Vehicle breakdowns as well as repair and maintenance costs would also be - reduced. The upgrading and rehabilitation of these roads will hoist economic activity and trade with neighbouring countries. / 3

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA OF IMPACT

3.1 The Fougamou-Mouila-NdendC and Lebamba-Ndende-Tchibanga sections.

3.1.1 The impact area covers three characteristic morphological types:

The Ngounie valley, with altitudes varying from 30 to 100 m, from Fougamou to NdendC;

The Ikoundou hills, with gritty and rugged- relief, between Nyali and Tchibanga; and

The Piedmont of the Chaillu crystalline massive, with the typical hummocky relief, found towards Lebamba, at an altitude of 200-300m.

The greater part of the impact area, lying to the east of the Ikoundou massive, is drained by the Ngounie, the main tributary of the left bank of the Ogooue.

3.1.2 Fougamou-Mouila Road

Within the vast Ngounie Plain, the road traverses generally flat country, undulating in certain areas and covered with savannahs. It crosses several tributaries of the Ngounie:

3.1.3 NdendC-Tchibanaa Road

The NdendC-Nyali section (30 km) represents the transition between the NgouniC Plain and the eastern counterforts of the Ikoundou. The road runs through a slightly undulating area, predominantly covered by savannahs. This section crosses two tributaries of the Ngounie: The Douba and the Outsakou.

The Nyali-tchibanga road (60 km) runs through the rugged area of Ikoudou, which is under forest. The abrupt contact of this region and the Ngounie Plains to the east and the Nyanga to the west has given rise to major ramps and deviations in certain sections. It crosses only one river: the Moukalaba Gauzi, a tributary of the Nyanga.

3.1.4 Ndende-Lebamba Road

The 34 km road runs through a hilly and quite undulating region, with the result that the layout shows marked deviations and a rapid succession of high and low points. , 4

3.1.5 The major geological formations encountered in the study iirea are:

,The calcareous/alkaline granite of the Mayoumbe I lassive;

The higher schistous/calcareous series of the kar tic plain of Mouila and Ndende; and

The sandy shale series of the Ikoundou mountains.

3.1.5 The soil of the impact area is the ferralitic type. It re: llts from rapid and intense alteration of rocks that are typical of the inter-tropical hur id climate zone. In the schistous/cal,careous series of the NgouniC and Nyanga rive : basins, the soil is predominantly of the indurated feralitic type, whereas the sand shale series of the Ikoundou has deep layers of renewed iron-bearing soil.

3.1.6 The study area has two distinct seasons with the following characteristics:

a rainy season from mid-September to the end of uiay, and

a dry season from early June to mid-September. ~

The average temperature is 26°C.

3.1.7 The two main vegetation types in the study are:

savannahs which tend to be shrubby in the hyanga basin and herbaceous in the Ngounie basin, and are intersperded with forests; and

the mountain forest zone, which is rather dense and1 exuberant.

In the Savannah, the graminaceous species are predominant. I

3.1.9 The tropical evergreen forest consistently covers the Ikoundou ranges. This is an area of exceptional richness and diversity with 4,000 to 5,000 common varieties, 20% of which are endemic. The best-known wood obtained from the Gabon’s forest is the OkoumC, used for plywood production. At present, Gaboh’s forest as a plant canopy does not seem threatened. It should however be noted that exploitation necessarily brings about degradation from primary to secondary forest. Lumbering is carried out by three categories of operators:

Industrial logging companies that are subsidiaries of European groups, Private companies formed by association of private foreign and national parties, and individual loggers (nationals).

The study area has two sawmills.

1. Mandilou - capacity below 5,000 m*, and

2. Mouila - capacity between 5,000 and 10,000 m2. 5

3.1.10 The wildlife is generally abundant and varied. In the Savannah environment, the classical wildlife includes ungulates-buffalos and antelopes and panthers. Lions were once found here but have now disappeared. The forest is a sanctuary for large mammals such as elephants, panthers and primates. The country’s gorilla population is estimated at between 30,000 and 40,000, with an average density of 0.18 per km2 of potential inhabitants. Several species are under protection in Gabon; others are partly protected and a hunting quota is in force. Hunting is still an important source of protein today, while poaching represents an appreciable source of income. Hunting is regulated. The Fougamou, Nyali and Tchibanga regions are particularly rich in game. Fishing is a secondary activity.

3.1.11 According to 1993 data, Ngounie Province has 77,781 inhabitants and Nyanga has 39,430. The percentages of males/females under 45 years are even. Above that age, the female population is larger. In 1993, the working population was clearly dominated by women. Women hold 63% (Ngounie) and 60% (Nyanga) of jobs in these rural areas. Most of the villages have a school with a solid structure. All major villages have a dispensary. Ngounie Province has under two doctors for 10,000 inhabitants, while Nyanga does not even have one for 10,000. Mouila, Ndende. Tchibanga and Lebamba have water supply system with standpipes. The rural water supply programmes have equipped wells with manual pumps, The prevalent diseases are malaria, filiarosis and bilharziosis. Diarrhoeic conditions remain the leading causes of infant mortality. Aids and sexually transmitted diseases (STM) are a serious problem in Gabon.

3.1.12 Agriculture and Livestock breeding are of particular importance in the study area. Forest agriculture is carried out by slash and burn procedures. Farmers clear one or several parcels of land each year. Livestock breeding is carried out along the roads, especially starting from Mouila. It is well developed in the Tchibanga area. Once the subsistence needs are met, most of the villages have surpluses for random sale. Plantain and cassava sellers obtain their supplies from all the villages, primarily between Ndende and Tchibanga, and send them to markets.

3.2 Port-Gentil-Mandorove and Gare Octra-Owendo Roads

3.2.1 The projects are situated in the Estuaire and Ogooue Maritime provinces. The Port-Gentil-Mandorove project area is characterized by low-lying coastal areas which are vast marshlands consisting of mangrove swamps and sandy strips parallel to the coast. The bottom surfaces of these low areas are partly coated with silt and clay which is not very permeable. On the other hand, the sandy strips are permeable. The project area starts from the inner suburbs of Port-Gentil and ends on the banks of a branch of the OgoouC called the Animba. The Gare Octra-Owendo project area is in the peripheries of Libreville. This road runs through the city’s port area and represents for the entire country, a principal channel for land transportation of goods. The sector is urbanized and industrial density is increasing considerably.

3.2.2 The natural environment of the project areas and the surroundings consists of savannahs. These are characterized by grassland interspersed with copses. d 6 ,+

3.2.3 The population density is low along the Port-Gentil road and higher along the Gare Octra-Owendo road. Significantly, 406,100 persons are concerned by the two projects. The human population taken into account is in the towns and villages along the roads. The population structure reflects a problem of migration of the workforce towards the towns, which probably constitutes the greatest impediment for the development of food crop farming. The lives of communitibs along the routes surveyed are in most cases organized around the roads. The health, education, water and electricity supply infrastructure are relatively well developed, especially at Port- Gentil. In the project area, women engage in activities such 4s agriculture, house cleaning, industry, trade, catering, administration, etc, I

3.2.4 Food crop farming is practised extensively in the form of shifting cultivation and slash/burn procedures. The produce is largely for family consumption, but there is a small degree of marketing. Traditional hunting is very common in the area. It is developed in the regions beyond Ogooue. Fishing, though artisanal, is very well developed in the Mandorove Region.

3.2.5 The major pathologies in Gabon are linked with the humidity and water; they are mainly malaria and bilharziosis.

3.2.6 There is no exploitation of forest resources in the project area. There is just a wood port at Owendo, timber rafts near the Port-Gentil delta an/l a large number of wood processing industries. I 3.2.7 Port-Gentil is the focal point of petroleum exploitation and the principal loading point for petroleum. The Sector has numerous operators! the most prominent being Elf-Gabon and Shell-Gabon.

4. POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATING MEASURI&

The study has identified the following environmental impacts of the project:

the temporary impact; impacts linked with the realization and utilization of the roads; and the indirect and induced effects.

4.1 It should be noted that whatever perturbations arise darn the project are reduced on account of the solution adopted, namely the upgrading and improvement of the existing road. The relatively modest scale of the work (as dompared to outright reconstruction or extensive modification) and the limited interference and expropriation brought about by the project make it possible to stringently and effectively regulate the consequences for the environment. The direct impact area will be limited to the areas along the existing road, which are already greatly affected from the human and natural standpoints by the existence of the roads. Specific environmental impacts are likely to be manifested locally in the areas concerned by the rectification of curves and deviation of the existing layouts.

4.2 The other sections will involve a dual carriageway and strengthening of the - Gare Octra-Owendo road, which already exists, and renovation of the Port-Gentil- Mandorove road. The foreseeable impacts on the environment are not very . 7 .

significant, since the work will consist in widening and improving the existing roadway. This will not entail major environmental impacts. The environmental impact will largely be noted in the last twenty kilometers of the Port-Gentil- Mandorove road, which is a new layout.

4.3 The harmful effects have been identified and the proposed measures are presented in the table below:

8

TABLEl: IMPACTS EXPECTED DURING THE EXECUTION OF WORKS AND CORRESPONDING MEASURES

PROJECT ACTIVITIES POTENTIAL IMPACTS PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES FIhi.ng construction, there will be 1. Increase in the quantity 1. Frequently water the area and reduce zarthworks, excavation, transporting of of solids in suspension periods of stockpiling materials and circulation of machinery. intheairduringthe dry season.

2. The layout of the 2. Construct temporary basins, decantations Hydrographical network and and provide gutters, ditches and concrete the course of smaller downpipes in the sector. bo$ies of water will be affected. Earthworks and preparation of road Serious soil erosion actually Reinforce earthworks with a layer of laterite. foundation. concerning only 60 km out of 300 km. Cover the slopes with vegetation by hydroseeding of local herbaceous and shrub species.

Project certain slopes with gabions and protect the bases of slopes with gabion mattresses, where underwashing is possible. Working of quarries and borrow pits. Soil erosion Rehabilitate quarries and borrow pits with top soil and by restoring the plant cover. Regulate access. Transporting materials. Problems relating to circulation, The local authorities will determine the safety and adverse effects. definitive itineraries and frequency _of circulation of trucks. Drivers will be trained in road safety and temporary signposts put up at strategic points. Disposal of excess materials, rubble and Impact on landscape, water This material will be placed in a regulated other debris. resources and visual amenities. storage area and/or reutilized where possible. During maintenance of machinery, Water and soil pollution. Periodic maintenance of machinery to avoid spillage of used oil, hydrocarbons, etc. leakage of lubricants, fuel collection and treatment of drained oil as required by authorities. All maintenance work (cleaning, draining of engines, etc), will be carried out in specially fitted areas. The ditches should be leakproof. Cut-offs resulting from rectification of Scenic and safety impacts. Highlight areas around roads using embossed layouts. fluorescent markings. In accordance with the technical feasibility studies, the cmsh barriers will be of wood. The cut-offs areas resulting from rectification of roads will be made into parking places with greenery and thus integrated into the natural scenery. Water resources Minimal and reversible impact. Put up structures, water installations and Limited duration. during the drain streams. works phase. Installation of temporary 1. Increase in poaching. 1. Sensitization of staff on problem of accommodation for site employees. poaching and specific mention of this offence in the contracts for recruitment of employees.

2. Production of waste water. 2. Installation of specific evacuation pipes 3. Health problems, alcoholism 3. Provision of appropriate sanitary and MSTs. instAllations, particularly the provision of kg water and collection of rubbish and waste. The problems of alcoholism and MSTs will be addressed through a campaign for sensitization of employees. 4. Keeping the camping sites. 4. Thelcontractor will include in the project a uclean site” programme, involving: I - an undertaking to dispose of debris resulting from demolition only in clearly designated areas allocated for that purpose. - an undertaking to store all polluting materials and to transport and dispose of them in areas approved by the authorities. - an undertaking not to abandon any materials after the works are completed. - an undertaking to clean the camp sites after the works are completed. Rectification of curves and construction Soil erosion and destruction of To control erosion and stabilize the of the new layout. It should be noted vegetation. For the tropical foundation, certain measures (earthworks) that, in most cases, the project consists forest in the Nyali-Tchibanga will be ?ndertaken. All trees to be maintained in upgrading or rehabilitation of an (60 km) sector, clearing will will be identified and protected by fixing existing road using the same layout, concern only an average of one wooden stakes. In the forest areas (Nyali- except in specific areas such as hectare per kilometre, giving a Tchibanga) the gallery forests will be mountains, where curves have to be total of approximately 60 ha of conserved as much as possible, by clearing corrected and at Mandorove, where the forest. Everywhere else where only the’ strict minimum needed (width of road runs through a savannah plain; the the road crosses the savannah lo-12mj. The specifications will clearly vegetation (which is not dense) will be area, there is satisfactory indicate measures such as avoiding earthtills cleared. The impact on the wildlife will sunshine and there will only be within 2 m of the trunks of these trees, be insignificant, considering the project clearing along the edge of the avoiding clearing and excavation around area. road. their roots, and where appropriate, leaving an unsurfaced area of at least 4 m2 per tree around the roots. During the site works. 1. Minimal negative impact. 1. Construct access to housing (concrete Momentary disruption of links slab’s across the ditches-ramps). between the settlements, the - Provide sidewalks in urban areas and near road and the land, and the schools. circulation of machinery and - Provide access for the communities around trucks affecting safety. the road1 -Provide! places for stores and small business. - Provide sidewalks for the roads under construction - Provide places for laundering ant’ bathrooms destroyed during the works - Improle the areas around bridges to b constructecl, so as to facilitate access to water points -‘For the traBic problem, the measures wil. be ‘the same as recommended for thr 2. Destruction of fences. transporting of materials 2. The fences destroyed will be restorec using lOfa1 materials and/or with vegetatior 3. Inconvenience caused by provided. noise. 3. The noise will be temporary. All thr same, the works will be limited to norma working1 hours. 10 .’

TABLE 2: IMPACT DURING UTILIZATION OF THE ROADS AND PROPOSED MTIGATMG MEASURES

;he taming and widening of the The deterioration of the living 1. Improve all the points of ,oad will have a significant conditions of the communities conflict (junctions, level :ffect on the lives of villages. around the project area and crossings, etc), by increasing The technical features of the those who operate along the and improving vertical and ,oad will allow for greater roads and the increased risk of horizontal road signs. ;peed. accidents. The expected 2. Provide speed traps increase in speed on the roads nearing the urban will give rise to conflict and can 3. Change the ty-pe of lead to accidents. surfacing around major roundabouts. 4. ,Improve visibility at night in inhabited areas by using embossed fluorescent markings. 5. Construct sidewalks. 6. Provide safety fittings and facilities (railing on bridges and wooden crash barriers). The ministry concerned should, in collaboration with the competent authorities, implement a programme of sensitization on road safety, targeting road users, school children and drivers in particular. The road programme is likely to The negative impacts will be 1. Given the low population produce induced effects in the limited. The effects will be: density of the regions medium to long-term, with the 1. A significant increase in food concerned, clearing will be attendant socioeconomical crop farming activities in marginal in comparison with the implications. landlocked or isolated areas. vast savannah and forest areas. 2. The increase in traffic and 2. Control poaching and therefore in potential clients Provide more forest guards in will favour hunting in the the field. The law concerning savannah area as well as the protection of wildlife should be forest area. stringently enforced. 3. It is quite probable that the 3. The access tracks and roads accesses created for the forest required for forest exploitation activities will exploitation would facilitate increase uncontrolled farming the arrival of people who and hunting activities. People will create pressure in the should be sensitized on the hunting and agriculture question of poaching and the sectors. imbalance any excess in thal regard can CiWSe. The authorities should control all forest exploitation activities. particularly the degradation 01 the forest environment. / 11 I

4. All the development will be 4. The road programme will accord& to the integrated bring about development of development plan. This plan industrial potential (wood will be iprepared by experts in industries, agro-industrial the rele@t areas. A period of extraction industries) petrol 10 months is envisaged for stations, restaurants and bars, preparation (for the cost and markets, etc, and also lead to details, see). The authorities settlement of populations should ensure that all the throughout the areas crossed by activities in the area are in the roads. The impacts are accordance with the existing positive but uncontrolled legislation development could lead to 5 There is great potential ecological and social imbalance. for tour&n. In the project area, the sites concerned are the 5. The roads will run through hunting areas and nature the hunting areas and plant reserves south of Ndendt, the reserves south of Ndendt and Empress, Eugenia falls, ““Notre also create a huge potential for Dame de Trois Epis”“at Sindara, tourism. mount Dikaki, the “Paul du Chailu” mountain range, the Ngounie River, Lac Bleu Hospital in Bongolo, the Bongolo, underground galeries, etc. The benefits of the tourism sector &ill still be maximized if tourism development follows the integrated development plan The development of picnic and camping sites, natural reserves, etc is envisaged. The promotion of eco-tourism will give this sector renewed importance. / 12

5. ALTERNATIVES FOR tMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME

5.1 The upgrading of the existing road has been preferred to any solution involving a new road and is justified from the technical and economic standpoints. This solution makes it possible to greatly reduce the direct impact of the project on the environment, during the construction as well as the subsequent utilization of the roads, on the natural environment (limited adverse effects on natural vegetation, negligible destruction of biotopes) as well as human beings (very little impact on villages).

5.2 The option to restore vegetation in the project area and areas bordering on the work sites and also the use of gabions, gabion mattresses and terramesh for protection and stabilization of the foundation will not only reduce the cost of protection but also allow for natural integration of the existing landscape, compatible with the undegraded environment.

5.3 Rehabilitation of quarries and borrow pits with top soil and covering these areas with local vegetation and will improve the visual amenity, giving a more pleasant and serene environment.

6. SENSITIZATION CONCERNING THE ENVIRONMENT

_. The study recommends the recruitment of an environmental expert. This expert will be a specialist from the Department of Environment. He will be seconded to the Road Programme Implementation Unit (RPIU) throughout the project implementation stage. This expert will take account of the respective wishes of the contractors, the Government, the forest guards and the surrounding community, so as to optimize the environmental measures on the basis of concerted views. The expert’s task will consist in:

assisting the consulting firms to prepare environmental specifications indicating measures to be respected by bidding enterprises;

- verifying implementation of these measures during site work; and

s informing, listening to and harmonizing the viewpoints of the different parties involved in the project, so as to ensure constant sensitization on the environment and its translation into concrete action.

For the benefit of children in particular, it will be necessary to carry out a road safety sensitization programme in schools.

7. SOCIO-CULTURAL HERITAGE AND VALUES

7.1 The village of Modouma, south of Fougamou has a recently constructed - church with remarkable architecture. This building is of interest in terms of regional heritage and could be fully upgraded by the project through specific signposting. *-. 13 ?-*

7.2 The villages generally have meeting areas for discussion prior to common decisions. These are often marked by trees selected because of their height and the shade they provide. These areas, often situated in the immediate vicinity of the road, will be spared. I 8. COMPENSATION FOR EXPROPRIATION i

The project area as delimited will have a very limited effect on crops. Out of 300 km of roads to be improved, only 1.1 hectares of crops will be destroyed along the Ndende - Lebamba road. On the Gare Octra - Owendo section, certain properties will “‘be expropriated. Only four dwellings will be destroyed. These are light structures, made of wood or adobe. Only one is on the Ndende and Lebamba road, the three others are outside this road reserve. However, to ensure road safety, they will have to be moved. The programme provides for construction of new and modem accommodation and the reaction of the population concerne)d will be very positive. The area of land is estimated at 3000 m2. The houses are to be reconstructed in the same environment and the occupants will be moved into them before the old ones are destroyed. An amount of 170,000,000 F.CFA (210,000 UA) has been reserved for compensation. The cost of expropriation and compensation to farmers has been assessed and included in the cost of the measures. This procedure will be carried out in accordance with the presidential decree on expropriation, T 000846/PR&IAER of 08 August 1979. /

9. ASSESSMENT OF THE COST OF MITIGATING h&ASURES

The study served to identify measures required to mitigate the negative impacts and recommended that they be included in the specifications. The costs of these measures is as follows:

Rehabilitation of the extraction areas ...... 1 h2,000,000 CFA.F Protection of water...... ! 9,450,OOO CFA.F Protection of vegetation...... ! .1,500,000 CFA.F Transporting of materials ...... 11 ,OOO,OOO CFA.F Cleanliness of campsites ...... /28,500,000 CFA.F Fences ...... 164,000,000 CFA.F Workers’ campsite ...... b4,200,000 CFA.F Sensitization concerning the environment ...... 36,000,OOO CFA.F Sensitization on safety ...... 21,000,OOO CFA.F Zoning plan ...... 14,000,OOO CFA.F Flow and quality of water ...... 2,500,OOO CFA.F Landscape ...... i 57,500,OOO CFA.F Plant cover ...... 10,000,000CFA.F Safety ...... 378,20,000 CFA.F Living conditions and visual amenities ...... 397,000,OOO CFA.F Expropriation ...... 120,000,000 CFA.F Compensation for agriculture ...... 50,000,OOO CFA.F _ 14 l ’

The tax-free cost of these measures is estimated at CFA.F 1,558,250,000 (IJA 1.92 million). This cost is taken into account in estimating the overall tax-free cost of the programme.

10. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

10.1 The environmental assessment studies are in conformity with the Bank’s directives concerning the environment for category 1 projects.

10.2 With the implementation of the mitigating measures recommended and close follow-up by the implementation unit, the negative measures will without doubt be attenuated. In addition, the amount earmarked for mitigating the negative impacts will improve not only the physical environment but also the living conditions and the welfare of the populations.

10.3 During appraisal of the programme, all the above points were examined and assessed to determine their pertinence and conformity with Bank rules and procedures. The conclusions have been incorporated in the appraisal report to be submitted to the Board.

11. REFERENCES

Les sols du Gabon (Pedogenese, Repartition et Amplitudes), ORESTROM (1991);

Recensement general de la Population DGSEE - Ministere des Finances, de l’,Economie, du Budget et des Participations, Charge de la Privatisation (1993);

Le Gabon (EDICEF - EDIG), Geographic active (1993);

Carte Pedologique de reconnaissance l/200.000, feuille LIBREVILLE- KANGO;

Rehabilitation et Amenagement de la Route Ndjole - Mitzic, Etude d’Impact Environnemental(l996);

Textes Juridique sur la Protection des For&, de 1’Environnement et de la Faune au Gabon (1995);

Le Code de l’Environnement, Gabon;

Guidelines for Environmental Assessment, African Development Bank: (1992); and

Environmental Assessment Sourcebook, World Bank (1991).