Assessing Environmental Impacts of newly created Earth Roads in Developing Countries: The case of Cameroon

Abstract

Newly created earth roads are fundamental facilitators for development in many developing countries. However, positive or negative environmental and human impacts accompany its construction. This study investigated the assessment of the possible environmental and human impacts of the 70 km Benakuma-Bawuro-Akwaya earth road construction project in Cameroon. The study employed qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data were collected using interviews, road observation and questionnaire. Result of the study reveals that inhabitants were not motivated from the destruction of their properties. Water pollution, the destruction of water sources, Soil and farms pollution/destruction and fauna and flora destruction were identified as major negative environmental impacts, while human damages were recorded mainly in the domains of housing and changing Socio-cultural and demographic features. The total cost of destruction accessed using the EIA was far more than the government estimation called “compensation cost”. In conclusion, the implementation of Impacts Assessment prior to, during and after the construction of newly earth roads would encouraged a stronger participation of beneficiary communities to optimize positive pre and post construction benefits and minimize negative ones; while reducing possible pressure on evaluators and minimizing corruption avenues which can be very common in developing countries.

Key-words: Earth road construction, pollution, impact assessment