In the Gambia ACE Submarine Cable Project Environmental and Social Impact Assessment

Public Disclosure Authorized GOVERNMENT OF THE GAMBIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS Public Disclosure Authorized MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE GAMBIA TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LIMIITED West Africa Communications Infrastructure Programme (WARCIP) in The Gambia ACE Submarine Cable Project Public Disclosure Authorized Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)/ Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) Draft Report Public Disclosure Authorized SAL Consult Limited, P O Box GP20200, Accra May 2011 PROJECT TEAM Name Position Qualification and Experience Contribution to Report Seth A Larmie Environmental M.Sc. (Applied Science) VUB Brussels Quality Assurance, Impact Management B.Sc. (Chemical Engineering) UST-Kumasi analysis Expert/Team Leader Richmond Environmental MPhil Environmental Science, University of Stakeholder consultations, Yeboah Management Expert Ghana Review of relevant socio- Amoako B.Sc (Hons) Chemistry, University of Cape economic and environmental Coast Baseline literature, Analysis of Dip Ed University of Cape Coast impacts and alternatives, drafting of report Francis K E Oceanographer and Ph.D. Fisheries Science, University of Ghana Coastal zone management and Nunoo (Dr) Coastal Zone M.Phil. Marine Sciences and Coastal marine ecology studies; Management Expert Management, University of Newcastle, Impact analysis on marine Newcastle upon Tyne resources; stakeholder MSc. Tropical Coastal Management, University consultations; review of relevant of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. literature BSc. (Hons) Zoology with Botany. University of Ghana. Olivia Ahlijah Stakeholder consultations, Social (Mrs) Associate Consultant, M Phil (Social Anthropology), University of studies, Social Impact Sociologist Oslo, Norway Assessment and Resettlement Plan Akosua Stakeholder identification and Assistant Consultant, Agyeiwaa BSc (Water and Sanitation), University of Cape consultation; Field and baseline Socio-economic Opoku-Darko Coast data collection; Literature Environment (Ms) reviews Email: [email protected] SAL GOTG/ GAMTEL Table of Contents LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................................... VII EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................................... IX 1.0 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND ...................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ............................................................................. 2 1.3 SCOPE OF SERVICES ........................................................................................................................................... 3 1.4 APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................................................... 3 1.5 LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR PROJECT DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................................... 4 2.0 POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK ................................................................................ 5 2.1 POLICY ON INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY ..................................................................................... 5 2.2 RELEVANT LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ................................................................................................... 5 2.3 INSTITUTIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK................................................................................................. 7 2.4 PROJECT APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................................... 13 2.5 RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTION- WORLD BANK SAFEGUARD POLICIES ........................................................... 13 2.5.1 OP/BP 4.01: Environmental Assessment ................................................................................................ 14 2.5.2 OP/BP 4.12: Involuntary Resettlement .................................................................................................. 14 2.6 INTERNATIONAL LAW AND AGREEMENTS ............................................................................................................. 14 2.6.1 International Maritime Organization..................................................................................................... 14 2.6.2 Legal Boundaries of the Ocean .............................................................................................................. 15 2.6.3 Marine Regulations on Submarine Cables ............................................................................................. 17 3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................................ 18 3.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................................... 18 3.2 PROJECT JUSTIFICATION .................................................................................................................................... 19 3.2.1 Connectivity challenges in The Gambia ................................................................................................. 19 3.2.2 Existing Data Transmission Capacity in West Africa .............................................................................. 20 3.3 BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT ................................................................................................................................ 20 3.3.1 Primary Benefits ..................................................................................................................................... 20 3.3.2 Indirect Benefits ..................................................................................................................................... 21 3.4 PROJECT COMPONENTS .................................................................................................................................... 21 3.4.1 The submarine cable system .................................................................................................................. 22 3.4.2 Description of Marine Operations .......................................................................................................... 23 3.4.3 Proposed Infrastructure Installations .................................................................................................... 28 3.5 PROJECT SCHEDULE ......................................................................................................................................... 31 4.0 ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS .......................................................................................................................... 32 4.1 TECHNOLOGY ALTERNATIVES ............................................................................................................................. 32 4.2 ROUTING ALTERNATIVES ................................................................................................................................... 33 4.3 CABLE LAYING OPTIONS- BURIAL AND NON-BURIAL ............................................................................................... 33 4.4 CABLE TYPE OPTIONS ....................................................................................................................................... 33 EIA Study – WARCIP: Submarine Cable Infrastructure Project in the Gambia Page ii Draft Report. May 2011 SAL GOTG/ GAMTEL 4.5 LANDING STATION SITE OPTIONS ....................................................................................................................... 34 4.5.1 The Brusubi Phase III Institutional Area ................................................................................................. 35 4.5.2 The BMH Site Behind Lemon Creek Hotel .............................................................................................. 36 4.6 NO PROJECT SCENARIO .................................................................................................................................... 36 5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC BASELINE CONDITIONS ......................................................... 37 5.1 LOCATION AND SIZE ......................................................................................................................................... 37 5.1.1 The Cable Location ................................................................................................................................. 38 5.2 THE ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT ..................................................................................................................... 39 5.2.1 Climate ................................................................................................................................................... 39 5.2.2 Noise Assessment................................................................................................................................... 45 5.3 THE LAND ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................................................................

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