ERA discloses preliminary study for Assosa-Sherkale-Guba road

By Tamiru Geda
 

The Ethiopian Road Authority [ERA] disclosed its final assessment result on the environmental and resettlement action plan for the design of the road to be constructed on the Assosa-Sherkale-Guba road, financed by the World Bank.
The implementation of such an Environmental Impact Assessment [EIA] and Resettlement Action Plan before construction of roads is one of the tools ERA is using to deal with environmental impact and settlement related problems associated with infrastructure network design.
According to Ato Samson Wondimu, public relations head of ERA, the feasibility study cost Birr 4,656,381 and the detailed design another Birr 8 million all of which will come from the Nordic Development Fund. The Ethiopian government on its part, has allocated Birr 930,475 for the resettlement study.
Regarding the impact on resettlement, it is noted that of the total inhabitants, 60 households comprised of 376 individuals would be affected along the 137 Km road stretching from Sherkole to Mankush (Guba town).
According to the resettlement study, of the total dwellers only five households of 24 individuals will be completely affected, whereas 55 households are said to be partially affected.
“The resettlement issue is not such an important issue in this case,” said Ato Samson. The road construction is scheduled to commence in 2005/6.