Gas pipeline project would be trouble-free environmental - Expert

Accra, April 25, GNA - The Health, Safety and Environment Adviser of the West African Gas Pipeline Project says a lot of "behind the scenes" arrangements have been done to ensure that the project has a trouble-free environmental impact on the communities that the pipeline will run through.

In an interview with the GNA in Accra, Mr John Cornwell said what is being done now, is the preparation of tender documents for the exploitation of the resources after the necessary infrastructure has been put in place.

He said the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project would take off this June after the four countries have approved the preparatory documents. Mr Cornwell said the Consortium are holding discussions with the four sponsoring governments, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and Benin, and agencies as well as communities and non-governmental organisations to ensure that they have a comprehensive environmental plan in place before the project takes off.

Mr Cornwell said experts in marine conservation are also being roped in to help fashion out a document acceptable to all. He expressed confidence in the project and said the Consortium is constantly reviewing the progress of funds for environmental programmes.

He said a series of agreements from the four participating countries are being considered, especially after visits to all the environmental protection agencies, except that of Nigeria.