By REBECCA MUSHOTA –
GOVERNMENT intends to set up a fuel reserve depot in Mongu to improve the country’s fuel reserves.
According to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report submitted to the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), the Ministry of Energy and Water Development has proposed to set up a fuel reserve depot with a capacity of 6.5 million litres.
The petroleum products to be stored include petrol, diesel and kerosene.
Government has engaged Belgravia Services (K) Limited, a company which built the Mpika bulk fuel reserve commissioned in February last year and has undertaken construction projects in numerous countries, to construct the fuel depot.
“The proposed fuel reserve is part of Government’s plan to increase fuel supply to meet the rising demand. The project location is in line with Mongu District land use zoning, as the project area is designated for industrial activities,” the report reads in part.
The proposed  project would generate temporary jobs for the reserve construction and rehabilitation for villages in the vicinity which would benefit the local economic development.
The EIA said the project would most likely lead to an influx of people from other areas in search of jobs on the construction crew which would on the negative part contribute to increased cases of HIV and communicable diseases.
The process of their storage and disposal during the construction phase could have an impact on public health and safety through contamination of water sources and agricultural land.
The proposed fuel reserve will be among the existing villages at a safe distance, thereby avoiding the need for resettlement of villages or households. Some agricultural fields would have to be relocated.
Most likely environmental and social impacts posed by the project relate to ground water contamination, soil pollution, and increased investment in the area and employment provision.
The report said Government should put in place disease sensitisation programmes for the community to mitigate the spread of diseases and headmen should be involved in the regulation of any influx of people and control unplanned activities such as prostitution.
For the negative environmental impacts, the contractor should be able to water exposed areas, fence off the construction area and provide proper facilities for the storage and dispensing of fuel, oil and lubricants as well as for storage or disposal of waste.
The report said for the long term, the local authority and traditional authorities are  encouraged to develop a comprehensive and holistic development and management plan for the area.