The main impacts of the NLNG project have already occurred as a result of the construction of the NLNG Base and Train 3 Expansion projects. The additional potential impacts of the NLNGPlus project are generally of less magnitude and significance than those of the Base and Train 3 Expansion projects. A summary of the main effects predicted is provided below.
- Permanent use of space for a safety and sterile zone and the construction of a perimeter road and the resulting effects on physico-chemical, functional and socio-economic sensitivities.
- Temporary dredging of sand. Temporary effects on the sea bed and coastal water quality from the winning of 1,100,000 m3 of sand offshore and resulting interactions with physico-chemical and functional sensitivities
- Temporary presence of a large workforce. Temporary effects of the activities of the existing large construction workforce and the resulting interactions with functional and socio-economic sensitivities, some of which could be undesirable.
- Construction related emissions and effluents (including dust generation, light and noise) are expected to be small and their effects are unlikely to be significant. The only potentially significant effect of construction related effluents are the risk of a substantial spillage of oil or other polluting materials.
- Generation of construction-related solid wastes and their storage, handling and disposal may cause potentially significant effects, mainly due to the potentially large volume of wastes involved and the possible long term nature of waste disposal.
- Construction related noise and traffic noise may cause localised disturbance.
From these sources of effects, the majority of the identified potential impacts during the construction phase of NLNGPlus are considered to have low significance. The following potential impacts are considered to be significant:
- Temporary dredging of 1,100,000m3 sand from offshore will have temporary adverse impacts on the seabed and coastal water quality. Temporary reduction of offshore water quality could adversely affect fisheries and benthic biology. There will be temporary loss of access to any fishing activities in the area of dredging.
- The only potentially significant effect of construction related effluents is the risk of a spillage of oil or other polluting materials which could enter the rainfall runoff and drainage waters from the construction site and be discharged into Bonny River.
- The construction will generate potentially large quantities of mainly inert solid wastes, which will require disposal. The need for land within the lease area for contractor's lay down areas etc. will probably necessitate the use of land that has been used for temporary storage of wastes from the construction of the Base and Expansion projects. If this land is required, the waste temporarily stored will need to be removed periodically and disposed of suitably off Bonny Island.
- The requirement for space to create the safety and sterile zone has necessitated the removal of the squatters in Mango Village, the nearest squatter village to the NLNG site. There is a possibility that the squatters may re-settle elsewhere on Bonny Island, possibly damaging other areas of forest.
- The continuing temporary presence and activities of the existing large construction workforce will have a number of continuing significant social effects, some of which could be adverse.
These include:
. Continued pressure on existing social infrastructure and services, such as accommodation, health care, water and electricity
. Higher levels of crime and moral decadence
. "Boom and burst" effects on the local economy causing a rise in cost of living
. Impacts on health include the potential increase in lifestyle-related infections, respiratory infections from overcrowding and unsafe water-borne diseases
. Social and cultural imbalance between locals and in-comers acting to dilute local culture, religion and traditions.
- The potential influx of local people and other Nigerian nationals, particularly males, seeking employment, if unfulfilled, will lead to frustration and will also have an impact on population structure (age and gender), social infrastructure, level of service provision, the general quality of health, and the level of crime and moral decadence.
- The continued high level of traffic and commuting of construction workers on the roads between camps and work site, and continued high level of waterway traffic, leads to high potential for road and marine accidents.
- The continuing presence and development of ad hoc settlements in the vicinity of the labour camp has continuing significant impacts on health, on the local environment and economy.
- There is a high potential for the NLNG labour camp, built initially for the NLNG Base project, but still in use for the NLNGPlus project, to become permanent on Community's desire to retain it.
Potential Adverse Effects: Operational Phase
The main potential sources of effects during the operational phase are:
- Increased level of marine operations associated with collection and transport of product from the LNG plant site and associated increase in the risk of accidents, spillages and direct discharges could have adverse effects on physico-chemical sensitivities in Bonny Estuary.
- The presence and activity of the small permanent workforce will have some interactions with functional, socio-economic and cultural sensitivities, some of which may be adverse. These impacts will be much greater if a proportion of the construction workforce remains and the labour camp, and associated ad hoc shanty settlements become permanent.
- Emissions of exhaust gases and other pollutants from the LNG Plant site may have adverse effects on local air quality.
- Solid wastes will also be produced and although most will be incinerated, some wastes will require disposal to landfill with the associated requirement for use of land located off Bonny Island to Government approved dumpsite.
Of these potential sources of effects, most of the potential impacts have been considered to have low significance. Those considered potentially significant during the operations phase of NLNGPlus are:
- Increased marine operations and LNG lighting at night will further limit access to fishing grounds and could reduce incomes for fishermen.
- Marine pollution incidents such as spills or leaks of condensate or chemicals could have a severe negative effect on the environmental and could adversely affect fisheries and restrict access to fishing grounds.
- Emissions from the NLNG plant and the waste incinerator may affect local air quality. However, dispersion modelling – taking into account the emissions from all 5 LNG trains - has demonstrated that ambient air quality standards will nowhere be exceeded. That means that there no health risk for the communities on Bonny Island.
- The currently temporary labour camp and associated ad hoc settlements may at Community's desire become permanent and retain a substantial population. This will then produce long term and potentially significant effects on the social, cultural, economic and health conditions on Bonny Island.
- The demobilisation of the large construction workforce at the end of the construction phase, if the unemployed remain on Bonny Island, could lead to a reduction in the quality of life and a general lowering of the standard of living.
Beneficial effects and Sustainable Development
The NLNGPlus project will result in further substantial economic benefits for Nigeria by the creation of revenues from the sale of Nigeria's considerable under-utilised, low cost, natural gas reserves and the use of associated gas, which is currently wasted by flaring. This is of global environmental and sustainability significance. The project takes advantage of the projected growing demand for imported natural gas in the industrialised countries around the Atlantic basin.
Nigerian workers will be employed by the project. NLNG will ensure provision of appropriate training and skills development for its own staff and the Construction workers. This will provide a beneficial contribution to skills development and training. The increased financial flows generated by the direct and indirect employment associated with the NLNGPlus project will have benefits for the local economy and human health in general. The construction phase will also result in continuing localised economic benefits due to the requirements of the workforce and their dependants.
During the construction and operational phase, Nigeria LNG Ltd will continue to assist the local communities in adjusting to the socio-economic impact of the project by establishing and maintaining a number of programmes which will contribute to their development, and help them realise benefits from the changes taking place, based on long-term, sustainable development principles. These programmes cover areas such as health, education, employment and economic/infrastructure development, including participation/assistance in governments' diseases prevention programmes such as immunisation and malaria rollback
