Sustainable Guidelines for Road, Education and Health Infrastructure Developments - Assignment Example

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES al Affiliation) Introduction It is imperative to undertake the development of an effective sustainable guideline for any potential development project. The concept of sustainability entails the effective and efficient utilization of resources while undertaking conservative measures to ensure that the potential of these resources to support future generation is not compromised. Formulation and implementation of sustainable development guidelines plays crucial role in any development project in the contemporary society. One of these importances is that, such guidelines are usually applied to provide a direction on development in a manner that available limited resources are properly utilized without causing any harm to the surrounding environment. Moreover, the development of sustainable operational guidelines is crucial in most development nations in which case; it enables project managers to develop an effective system for resources utilization hence reducing cases oh over-use or under-use. It also minimizes the occurrence of conflicts that may emerge between the project managers and the local surrounding communities in relation to resource use of environmental destruction. Nacala Special Economic Zone To begin with, majority of the Special Economic Zones apart from Accelerated Economic zones in Mozambique, are faced by myriad societal as well as development challenges that affect the quality of life of the existing populace. In Nampula Province one of the Northern Province of Mozambique, specifically, the region of Nacala Special Economic Zone, there has been several development projects initiated to improve the lives of the local communities. Despite such efforts, the available projects have not yet fully improved hence creating the need to initiate other development projects that would enhance development. One of the main societal and health challenges that has been affecting the local communities in Nampula Province are challenges ascribed to maternal health. As identified by the Mozambican President, Armando Guebuza, who initiated a presidential Project targeted towards ensuring Mothers’ Health as well as Children, is properly protected from associated health challenges. Statistics indicate that approximately eleven women loss their lives on a daily basis as a result of maternal health challenges that emanate from the process of giving birth and pregnancy. On an annual basis, approximately 3,500 women die from every 100,000 children born. Despite the fact that in some African countries the death toll may be higher, the president recognized it is time Mozambique as a nation be placed on the world map like any other developed nations for proper maternal health care service provision for instance: Ireland has been considered one of the most developed nation in terms of maternal health care service provision leading to a lower maternal mortality of approximately two deaths per every 100,000 children born. The Mozambican Government recognizes that one of the methods that can be used to reduce maternal mortality in Nampula province would be construction of modern Road Network to enhance transportation and movement of people. Poor road networks in the region has been attributed to a number of maternal deaths due to the longer time taken to transport women in labor or other expectant women who may be facing birth challenges to more developed health facilities in Maputo, Matola and Beira. Research has also shown that Nampula as one of the ports in Mozambique is highly vulnerable to tropical cyclones due to its geographical orientation and location. Nampula Province lies along the Mozambican Coast with a lower orientation on the sea level. Research conducted by DFID indicates that a slight rise of the sea level to a height of five or four meters would have a greater negative effect on the lives of the surrounding communities. Moreover, the increased rates of drought conditions, seasonal floods as well as other natural disasters like intense tropical cyclones pose a great the threat to the overall development of Nampula Province; it is imperative that development partners formulate methodologies and strategies that can be used to protect the local community from these natural disasters; some of these strategies may also be applied in mitigating such disasters. Tete Province in the North West This is one of the provinces in Mozambique with vast amounts of natural resources; the Tete Province located in the Northern West of Mozambique. It has vast coal mines that play a crucial role in the economic development of the Nation. Despite the fact that this is a region with high food productivity and major coal mine resources, several economic, political and societal challenges hence hindering a harmonious development in the region. One of the major challenges facing the local communities in Tete Province is the land issues that have emerged due to displacement of the local communities from their original communities by the government and the other stakeholders involved in mining of the coal resources. This has created serious conflicts between the government and the local residents who claim that the government should offer the other resettlement services. Additionally, Tete Province just like Nampula province is faced with challenges of poor infrastructure especially the transportation networks that are pertinent in economic activities by facilitating transportation services. This requires the attention of development partners as well as the government in general. The province is also characterized by high population growth that is majorly caused by certain aspects of societal factors; one of these factors is the population mobility between the high class members of the Mozambican Nation and the poor members of the society this has been as a result of immigration of people to the surrounding commercial hubs like Maputo hence creating pressure on the limited available resources. On the other hand, the level of HIV/AIDS prevalence in the region is extremely high creating the need to implement proper medication and service provision plans that would improve the lives of the residents in Tete: Employment opportunities is also another societal facet that has created major challenges in the lives of the residence, especially the youth; this has been propagated by the high number of immigrants from other provinces and other neighboring nations like Tanzania for employment opportunities in the recently discovered coal mines. Owing to the current challenges emanating from climate change and global warming, food productivity in the amount of food produced in the region has diminished tremendously. This has caused serious challenges from the populace demanding the intervention of the government; on the other hand people striving to earn a living by excessively exploiting other natural resources hence leading to environmental deterioration. Owing to the above challenges facing the Province of Nampula and the Province of Tete, it is imperative that both external and internal partners develop with an interest to facilitate development in the two regions formulate and implement sustainable development guidelines that would act as imperative directive for the efficient development processes. In this respect, the following factors need to be awarded a higher rate of consideration in order to promote efficient development. They are inclusive of: Importance of Public Participation in Development Projects For any development project geared towards benefiting the local communities, there are several factors that need to be taken into consideration from the planning process through implementation to the project face out. Development partners need to determine the roles played by local communities when undertaking massive development projects that will impact on their lives. One of the importances of public participation in development projects, specifically the construction of road networks in Tete and Nampula Provinces, is the creation of a sense of ownership of such projects among the local communities. This can be achieved by engaging the local communities in the project development process from the planning stage to the project phase out stage. The sense of ownership enables the community to contribute ideas that could be applied to facilitate the development processes. Another importance of public participation in development projects is that issues that may lead to future conflicts are usually identified at the planning stage and measures taken collaboratively between the external developers and the local communities hence promoting a harmonious relationship between the two stakeholders. The ultimate goal of such a relationship is that factors that may hinder efficient and effective completion of the project are eliminated. Cases of public participation have proved successful for most non-governmental organizations such as in: Tanzania and Kenya where the African Medical and Research Foundation has undertaken myriad community development projects through encouraging public participation hence leading to project sustainability. Before conducting any development project, it is imperative that an assessment be undertaken to determine the perception of the local community towards such development project; an important case for this example is the Tete Province where coal mineral was recently discovered; in this area the perception of the community towards external development partners by the local partners may be that they have come to exploit the available minerals hence denying the local communities job opportunities. Environmental Assessment Tools There are various strategies applied by development partners to assess the environment in order to ensure that their activities have the least possible harm on the bio-physical environment; these assessments are usually conducted by use of stipulated guidelines that act as a benchmark for to all the development partners, however, the assessment tools may vary from country to country. In the case of Mozambique, there are various Environmental Assessment Tools applied locally for any development project undertaken and therefore the external development partner will have to follow these guidelines for instance: The Environmental Impact Assessment which a collection of guidelines majorly stipulating procedures undertaken to predict and prevent any potential economic, social as well as negative environmental impacts. Environmental Impact Assessment is an effective tool that has been applied globally and many majority of developing nations for example in Tanzania, Kenya, Seychelles, Mauritius and South Africa. On the other hand, Strategic Environmental Assessment is also applicable in Mozambique; however, this assessment tool is usually applied in huge projects with impacts that are cumulative in nature. Therefore Strategic Environmental Assessment majorly entails the assessment of guidelines, policies and plans rather than directing a focus on a specific development activity. It is important to note that Environmental Impact Assessment is a process and involves several components. The first component of an Environmental Impact assessment is screening which is the determination of whether an EIA is required before implementation of a project. Scoping is the second component of an EIA, it entails the identification of key issues i.e. social and scientific matters, parties concerned, levels at which no changes may be made during the project implementation project. The ultimate goal of scoping is the development of a term of reference. Scoping is immediately followed by the assessment and selection of best available options through the use of baseline data and other data collection techniques. Identification of mitigation measures is the fourth step of undertaking an Environmental Impact Assessment. It may be conducted through modification of certain. After identification of appropriate mitigation measures, a report is written by the Environmental Impact Assessment Expert and submitted to the project developers. This is followed by a thorough review leading to a decision making local environmental management agencies or the local government. The ultimate step undertaken in an Environmental Impact Assessment is monitoring which generally involves the cross-checking of the project activities or mitigation measures to ensure that they are in compliance with the guidelines or the recommendation in the EIA report. A good example of a successful mega project undertaken through the guidelines of Environmental Impact Assessment is the construction of super highway in Kenya, one of the countries located in East Africa. The super highway connects Kenya’s Capital city, Nairobi to an industrial city known as Thika. Collaboration of Stakeholders The Mozambican Government does not hinder any development activity; collaboration is imperative for the success of any development organization in regard to: Collective decision making, efficient and effective resources mobilization leading to project sustainability. Collaboration of stakeholders has facilitated the success of various development projects in Countries like Lesotho where development geared towards promoting adult education has been made successful through collaboration between the University of Lesotho and Media Houses in Lesotho. The World Bank has also worked in collaboration with the Mozambique Government through donations of fund geared towards promoting development of Water Resources. In the year 2011, study by the World Bank indicated that Mozambique was in need of 120 million USD for the development of water resources; however, Len Abrams, the head of the World Bank Development project asserted that the World Bank was focused towards offering a portion of the required amount while the remaining to be contributed by the Mozambican Government and other development partners. In relation to development and promotion of Health issues, the United Sates Government through the Center for the Prevention and Control of Diseases has been working collaboratively with the Mozambican Government through the ministry of health to assist in the efforts of combating HIV/AIDS through provision of antiviral drugs as well as other imperative services offered to HIV/AIDS affected persons. Collaboration is therefore a pathway to success of any external development organization focused towards promoting development in Africa, specifically, Mozambique. Collaboration will also enhance projects sustainability in that other associated partners will assume the ownership of such projects hence making efforts to promote its success. Materials Used for Construction Mozambique is a country with various mineral resources; one of these mineral resources is the coal that has been discovered recently in Mozambique. Additionally there is development of a cement factory in Magude District in Southern Maputo, a project undertaken by China’s Company named Africa’s Great Wall Factory. Other cement producing factories in Mozambique are inclusive of: GC cement factory, Cimentos de Mocambique, Salamanga among others in Nacala and Matola. Other construction materials may be sourced locally from various quarries while other technical road construction equipment may be imported or tenders awarded to various service providers. These materials should be sourced in relation to the guidelines provided by applicable law and other regulations governing the acquisition of road construction materials. Life Cycle Assessment This will be important in promoting environmental protection and management through the assessment of nay product used in the construction process by examining it from ‘cradle to grave’. It will also ensure that any negative potential environmental affect is prevented thereby enhancing the sustainability of the project. However, a higher consideration will be given to the guidelines stipulated in various environmental laws stipulated by the different environmental stakeholders in Mozambique. Possible Partnerships The government of Mozambique is open to any negotiation that will lead to partnership focused towards development of various sectors of the Mozambique society. These partnerships may be conducted for purposes of raising funds or ensuring project sustainability. An examples of successful projects conducted in partnerships in Mozambique is inclusive of CDC partnership with the government to provide medical care for HIV/AIDS affected persons. Partnership is an appropriate method for undertaking development projects in that; it promotes project sustainability as well as efficiency in operation. Suppliers There are various rules and regulations governing supply and acquisition of project materials within the republic of Mozambique; it is imperative that for the success of any development project, such rules be taken into consideration to avoid any conflict that may occur hence hindering the attainment of project sustainability. Long Term Vision and Use In order to ensure that the ultimate goal any development project is achieved, it is imperative to formulate and focus on one specific vision that is comprehensive in nature. Different dimension of applicability of the vision should be taken into consideration. Transfer of Knowledge and Capacity The ultimate development goal of any development project is usually directed towards benefiting the local community. In order to ensure that the local communities accrue a lot of benefits various aspects of project management may be disseminated among the local communities through capacity building and training. References ABN Digital - Africa Business News. (n.d.). ABN Digital - Africa Business News. Retrieved April 4, 2013, from http://www.abndigital.com Advisory review of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the Chongoene Export Facility, Chibuto, Gaza province: Mozambique. (2004). Utrecht: MER. Burchi, S., & Mechlem, K. (2005). Groundwater in international law: compilation of treaties and other legal instruments. Rome: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization :. Cunliffe, R. N. (2002). Biodiversity and wilderness evaluation of the Tchuma Tchato Project area surrounding Lake Cabora Bassa, Tete Province, Mozambique: consultancy report prepared for Direcção Provincial de Agricultura e Pecuaria (DPAP), Tete Province, Mozambique.. Harare, Zimbabwe: Zambezi Society ;. Mozambique national mine survey. (1994). Maputo: United Nations Dept. for Humanitarian Affairs. Munier, N. (2004). Multicriteria environmental assessment a practical guide. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers. Strömquist, L. (1994). Practical approaches to applied remote sensing as illustrated by the SAMOZ project in Mozambique. Maputo: MER. United Nations Development Programme. (n.d.). United Nations Development Programme. Retrieved April 4, 2013, from http://www.undp.org Read More