Environmental and Social Impact Assessment - Gibe III

Gibe III – Environmental and Social Impact Assessment 300 ENV R CS 002 C - A9003099
As compensation action, a new bridge across the Omo River will be built downstream of the Gibe III dam.
After reservoir impounding, the permanent link between the Omo River left and right banks will be possible
utilising the new road (on the right bank plateau) to the dam site, passage over the downstream toe of the
dam and a new road on the left plateau from the dam site to the existing road (or to Kindo Halale) will be
constructed.
Submergence of footpath crossings on the Omo River
Along the long stretch of the Gibe III reservoir there are an estimated nine river crossings (See Figure 7.1).
These crossings are mainly used when the river flow is low for transporting goods to market places and serve
a significant portion of deep rural community belonging to Dawro, Wolayita, Hadiya, Kembata, Tembaro
and Oromo ethnic groups. These people attend weekly markets and visit their relatives by crossing the Omo
River using these trails.
The interruption of these crossings will significantly affect the social interactions and the socio-economic
values of the people living on both sides of the river. The population density on the left bank is relatively
higher and the area is food insecure than the western part of the region where there is food surplus.
Therefore, it was observed that the community in the Eastern part of the Gibe III reservoir crossed the river
more often to purchase agricultural products. There is also no other well developed alternative road
infrastructure available that could be used to alleviate the problem. Therefore, the impact is considered to be
very significant.
As mitigation action, it is recommended to establish a boat service at the affected nine locations (See Figure
7.2) to provide service to transport people their goods and livestock’s. The unit cost for the establishment of
boat service is estimated at 1 million Birr/station. This includes cost of purchase boats and related
accessories. In addition, considering the high fluctuation of the water level in the reservoir (upto 90 m)
appropriately designed and constructed 9+9 wharfs will be required. This is a one time cost that will be
incurred during the first year of the implementation phase and no other cost will be required thereafter, since
co-operatives could be organized to operate and maintain the boats as they provide services by charging
passengers. The people who are currently providing the service to cross the rivers could be organised further
to provide similar service in a better way. Therefore, the total amount of money required to establish the boat
service to compensate for the flooding of river crossing points is estimated at 9 million birr.
7.4.8 Impacts on Other Social Service Facilities and Economic Activities
Visits made to the project area and discussions held with key informants indicated that Gibe III reservoir will
have no effect on social service facilities like public buildings, schools, health centres, water supply
facilities, electric and telephone lines and religious institutions (churches and mosques). Therefore, no
mitigation measures will be required.
Loss of Hot spring
One of the potential impacts to the local communities will be the loss of hot springs (located closer to the
Rivers) to flooding. According to the interviewed community members, the hot springs are considered as
holy water and people usually go to these springs to take bath (See Photo 7.5) expecting to be cured from
different kinds of diseases such as skin and stomach diseases. Of the affected hot springs some are located at
Asawicho PA in Soro wereda, Belela PA in Omo Sheleko wereda, Bombe PA in Boloso Sore wereda and in
Gena Bossa wereda. This impact is unavoidable due to the nature and location of the resource and no direct
CESI SpA - Mid-Day International Consulting Engineers Page 221