Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Practice and Its Implication for Project Management Sustainability in the Ethiopian Road Authority (The Case of Mojo-Hawassa High Way Project)
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Date
2020-12
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Development projects, particularly road is key in enhancing sustained economic development and
societal transformation. However, negative environmental and social impacts of such projects are also
extensive. Thus, concern for sustainability in managing such projects is critical. With this in mind, the
major objective of this study was to assess ESIA practice and its implication for project management
sustainability at Ethiopian Road Authority (ERA), Mojo-Hawassa Highway Project. Specifically, the
study assess practices of ESIA, investigate level of project management sustainability (PMS), examine the
nexus between ESIA practices and PMS, explain effects of ESIA practices on PMS, and identify major
challenges faced while practicing ESIA. To this end, descriptive and explanatory research design with
mixed approach was applied. Primary data was collected from key project staffs through questionnaire,
KII and FGD guide. Accordingly, the study found out that there has been sufficient legal basis (M=3.96,
SD=0.758), good institutional frameworks (M=3.74, SD=0.718), sound process of ESIA (M=3.98,
SD=0.657) and better application of ESIA report (M=4.087, SD=0.611); implying sound ESIA practices
overall. There has been encouraging concern for PMS as manifested by economic (M=3.80, SD=0.813),
social (M=3.865, SD=0.698) and environmental (M=3.85, SD=0.769) sustainability. There has been
significant positive association between ESIA practices and PMS; and so overall practices of ESIA,
significantly explain 40.1% of the variance in PMS. Thus, it is concluded that overall practices of ESIA
has significant implication for PMS in the Highway Project. However, there have been challenges like
lack of sufficient national legislations and institutions dealing with social aspects; lack of sufficient
professional man power; less commitment of contractors; inadequate RoW clearance and compensation
payment; inadequate and inconsistent cooperation from local administration and others. So, the
researcher recommends regular consultation with key stakeholders; improving capacity of existing staff
and due concern during staff hiring decision by all parties. Developing quality procedures for social
aspects and pushing higher government bodies for the same; and on-going follow up; and acknowledging
those who perform good on sustainability by ERA has also be recommended.
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Keywords
project, ESIA, sustainability, environmental sustainability, social sustainability, project management sustainability, ERA, Mojo-Hawassa highway project.