ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT

ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

THE CONSTRUCTION OF STUDENTS’

HOSTELS AT LILONGWE UNIVERSITY OF
AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
AT BUNDA CAMPUS

Old Mutual Investment Group Environment and Natural

Old Mutual Building, 30 Glyn Jones Resources Management Consultants
Road, P.O. Box 393, Blantyre P.O. Box 20253
Lilongwe 2

May 2019
Table of Contents
LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................... v
LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................... vi
LIST OF ACRONYMS ........................................................................................................... viii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................... ix
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND.................................................... 1
1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Background information ............................................................................................. 1
1.2.1 Vision, Mission and Aims of the University ....................................................... 2
1.2.2 Faculties of the University ................................................................................... 2
1.2.3 Campuses of the University ................................................................................. 3
1.3 Nature and scope of the students’ hostels ................................................................... 5
1.4 Project Proponent ........................................................................................................ 6
1.5 Project Location .......................................................................................................... 7
1.6 Current status of the Project ...................................................................................... 10
1.7 Project objectives ...................................................................................................... 10
1.8 Objective of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment study........................... 10
1.9 Scope of the ESIA study ........................................................................................... 10
1.10 Potential Users of the ESIA report ........................................................................ 10
1.11 Methodology .......................................................................................................... 10
1.11.1 Literature Review............................................................................................... 11
1.11.2 Site visits ............................................................................................................ 11
1.11.3 Stakeholder consultations .................................................................................. 11
1.12 Existing Land Uses in the Project Area ................................................................. 11
CHAPTER 2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ........................................................................... 12
2.1 Project design considerations .................................................................................... 12
2.2 Description of main project activities ....................................................................... 12
2.2.1. Planning phase ................................................................................................... 12
2.2.2. Construction phase ............................................................................................. 13
2.2.3 Demobilization Phase ........................................................................................ 17
2.2.4 Operation and maintenance phase...................................................................... 17
CHAPTER 3 CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVES ................................................. 18
3.1 Factors considered ..................................................................................................... 18
3.1.1 Existing policies, legislation and standards regarding construction industry in
Malawi …………………………………………………………………………………18
3.1.2 Environmental considerations............................................................................ 18
3.1.3 Cost benefit analysis .......................................................................................... 18
3.1.4 Location and layout alternatives ........................................................................ 18
3.2 Project alternatives .................................................................................................... 18
3.2.1 Do-Nothing /‘Without Project' Option............................................................... 18
3.2.2 Develop the project alternative .......................................................................... 19
3.3 Alternative building technologies ............................................................................. 20
3.3.1 Use of burnt bricks ............................................................................................. 20
3.3.2 Stabilised soil blocks (SSB) ............................................................................... 21
3.3.3 Concrete blocks.................................................................................................. 21
3.3.4 Eco bricks........................................................................................................... 22
3.4 Alternative sewage disposal methods ....................................................................... 23
3.4.1 Use of septic tanks ............................................................................................. 23

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 3.4.2 Discharging liquid waste to wastewater stabilization ponds ............................. 23
3.4.3 Use of wastewater stabilization ponds ............................................................... 23
3.5 Alternative solid waste disposal methods ................................................................. 24
3.5.1 Food Waste ....................................................................................................... 24
3.5.2 Waste paper........................................................................................................ 25
CHAPTER 4 BIOPHYSICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT................. 26
4.1 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................. 26
4.1.1 Topography and Geology................................................................................... 26
4.1.2 Soils.................................................................................................................... 26
4.1.3 Climate ............................................................................................................... 28
4.1.4 Water resources.................................................................................................. 28
4.2 BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................ 28
4.2.1 Vegetation .......................................................................................................... 28
4.2.2 Fauna .................................................................................................................. 29
4.3 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT .................................................................. 29
4.3.1 Socio-economic conditions ................................................................................ 29
4.3.2 Water supply ...................................................................................................... 31
4.3.3 Farming system .................................................................................................. 31
4.3.4 Cultural Environment......................................................................................... 32
4.3.5 Religion .............................................................................................................. 33
4.3.6 Employment opportunities for local people....................................................... 33
4.3.7 Economic activities in the area .......................................................................... 33
4.3.8 Commercial activities of the area....................................................................... 33
CHAPTER 5 REVIEW OF RELEVANT POLICIES, LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL
………………………………………………………………………………35
FRAMEWORK........................................................................................................................ 35
5.1 Malawi’s environmental regulatory framework........................................................ 35
5.2 Policy framework ...................................................................................................... 35
5.2.1 National Environmental Policy, 2004 ................................................................ 35
5.2.2 National Land Policy, 2002 ............................................................................... 36
5.2.3 National Construction Industry Policy, 2015 ..................................................... 36
5.2.4 National Water Policy, 2005 .............................................................................. 36
5.2.5 Malawi National HIV and AIDS Policy, 2003 .................................................. 37
5.2.6 Guidelines of Environmental Impact Assessment in Malawi, 1997 .................. 37
5.2.7 National Land Resources Management Policy and Strategy, 2000 ................... 38
5.2.8 Gender Policy, 2008........................................................................................... 38
5.3 Regulatory Framework.............................................................................................. 38
5.3.1 The Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, 1995 ........................................... 38
5.3.2 Environment Management Act, 1996 ................................................................ 39
5.3.3 Land Act 2016.................................................................................................... 39
5.3.4 The Lands Acquisition Act, 2017 ...................................................................... 40
5.3.5 Customary Land Act 2016 ................................................................................. 40
5.3.6 Local Government Act, 1998............................................................................. 41
5.3.7 Public Health Act, 1982 ..................................................................................... 41
5.3.8 Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Act, 1997 ......................................... 41
5.3.9 Water Resources Act, 2013............................................................................... 42
5.3.11 National Construction Industry Act, 1996 ......................................................... 43
5.4 Institutional Framework ................................................................................. 43
5.5 Summary of approvals and licences which the proponent has to obtain ....... 44
CHAPTER 6 IMPACT IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT .................................. 46

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 6.1 Identification of potential impacts............................................................................. 46
6.1.1 Methodology of impact identification .................................................................... 46
6.2 Impact Evaluation and Scoring Matrix ..................................................................... 48
6.2.1 Magnitude .......................................................................................................... 48
6.2.2 Significance........................................................................................................ 48
6.2.3 Probability of occurrence ................................................................................... 48
6.2.4 Duration ............................................................................................................. 48
6.3 Description of environmental impacts and their management measures .................. 51
6.3.1 Impacts from Design and Planning Phase ......................................................... 51
6.3.2 Impacts from Construction Phase ........................................................................... 51
6.3.3 Impacts during demobilization ............................................................................... 55
6.3.4 Impacts from Operation Phase ................................................................................ 56
CHAPTER 7 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING
………………………………………………………………………………61
PLANS ………………………………………………………………………………61
7.1 Environmental and Social Management Plan ................................................................ 61
7.2 Environmental and Social Monitoring Plan .............................................................. 74
CHAPTER 8 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.......................................... 93
8.1 CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................... 93
8.2 SUMMARY OF POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS .................................... 93
8.2.1 Summary of key positive impacts ...................................................................... 93
8.2.2 Summary of key negative impacts ..................................................................... 93
8.3 OVERALL RECOMMENDATION ......................................................................... 94
REFERENCES ………………………………………………………………………………96
ANNEXES ………………………………………………………………………………96
ANNEX 1 Terms of reference for the ESIS for construction of Hostels at College of
Medicine, Lilongwe campus ................................................................................................ 97
ANNEX 2 Stakeholders consulted and issues raised ....................................................... 99
ANNEX 3 Designations and qualifications of the experts............................................. 103

iv
LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. 1 An Overview picture of LUANAR campus at Bunda ............................................. 4

Figure 1. 2 An overview picture of the NRC Campus............................................................... 4

Figure 1. 3 Location Map for hostels project at LUANAR at Bunda campus ........................... 8

Figure 1. 4 Map of existing establishments in the project area at LUANAR ............................ 9

Figure 2. 1 Lay out plan for the proposed hostels at LUANAR, Bunda campus ................... 14

Figure 4. 1 Map of Lilongwe showing soil types in the district ............................................. 27

Figure 4. 2 Vegetation of the site for construction of hostels .................................................. 28

Figure 4. 3 Vegetation of the Bunda Forest Reserve ............................................................... 29

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 2. 1 Details of the hostels to be constructed .................................................................. 13

Table 2. 2 Overview of the main inputs and outputs from the project ................................... 16

Table 3. 1 Advantages and Disadvantages of the “Do-Nothing alternative” .......................... 19

Table 3. 2 Advantages and disadvantages of the "De velop the project alternative" ............... 20

Table 4. 1 Population in the area.............................................................................................. 30

Table 5. 1 List of statutory approvals and licences required .................................................. 44

Table 6. 1 Impact scoring matrix with significant levels ........................................................ 49

Table 7. 1 Proposed Environmental Management Plan .......................................................... 62

Table 7. 2 Proposed Environmental Monitoring Plan ............................................................. 75

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report is for construction of students’ hostels
at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) at Bunda Campus under the
Public, Private Partnership (“PPP”) Agreement. The ESIA report has been prepared with the support
of many people. The Consultant is grateful to all of them. The Consultant would like to recognize in
a special way the support rendered by Management and Staff of Old Mutual Investment Group;
Environmental Affairs Department; Lilongwe District Council; Management and Staff of the Ministry
of Lands, Housing and Urban Development; and Management and Staff of LUANAR, Bunda Campus,
where the project will be implemented. The information provided by officials from these institutions
is highly appreciated as it assisted the Consultant to prepare this ESIA report.

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LIST OF ACRONYMS

AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

DC District Commissioner
DEC District Executive Committee
DESC District Environmental Sub Committee
EA Environmental Assessment
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EMA Environment Management Act
EMP Environmental Management Plan
ENRMC Environment and Natural Resources Management Consultants
ESCOM Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi
ESIA Environment and Social Impact Assessment
ESMP Environmental and Social Management Plan
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GIS Geographic Information System
Ha Hectare
HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus
LCC Lilongwe City Council
LUANAR Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources
MGDS Malawi Growth and Development Strategy
NAP National Agriculture Policy
NCHE National Council for Higher Education
NCIC National Construction Industrial Council
NGO Non-Governmental Organization
NSO National Statistical Office of Malawi
OP Operational Policy
PPP Public Private Partnership
STI Sexually Transmitted Infection
ToRs Terms of Reference
WB World Bank
WSP Wastewater Stabilization Pond

viii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.0 Introduction
Old Mutual Investment Group would like to construct students’ hostels at Lilongwe University
of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) at Bunda Campus under the Public, Private
Partnership (“PPP”) Agreement. The decision to construct these hostels follows the realization
that there is generally a critical shortage of modern and adequate students’ hostels in both public
and private universities in Malawi and LUANAR is no exceptional. Shortage of modern and
adequate hostels at LUANAR is negatively affecting students’ enrolment and their academic
performance. LUANAR does not have enough bed spaces to accommodate an increased
number of students, which it enrols. As a result, the institution is not able to enrol many
students. Again, most of the students that are enrolled at LUANAR stay off campus and travel
long distances to access university facilities. It is therefore anticipated that the proposed project
will assist to increase students’ enrolment and will enhance students’ academic performance at
LUANAR, Bunda campus as the project will help to create more bed spaces which will in
return assist to provide accommodation for more students.

Considering that construction activities for the proposed project will generate a number of
impacts on the bio-physical and socio-economic environment in the project area and beyond,
Old Mutual Investment Group commissioned an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
study to identify potential environmental and social impacts related to the activities of the
project; to assess the extent and significance of both positive and negative impacts; and to come
up with measures to enhance the positive impacts and measures to mitigate the negative
impacts.

2.0. Nature and scope of the students’ hostels

The project will construct students hostels at LUANAR, Bunda campus, access roads and car
parks. To avoid space wastage, the hostels will be high rising buildings with a minimum of
three storeys. The hostels will be fitted with elevators to allow students move freely to and
from different floors. The different categories of students will be accommodated in different
hostels. In all there will be 1 Postgraduate (PhD) students’ hostel with 3 storeys, 2 Postgraduate
(Masters) students’ hostels with 3 storeys and 10 undergraduate students’ hostels with 5
storeys. In all, the 13 hostels will have a total capacity of 4,698 bed spaces broken down into
3,388 bed spaces for undergraduate students, 480 bed spaces for Master of Science Students,
and 132 bed spaces for PhD students.

Construction activities for the project will take 36 months starting from June 2019 to May
2022. Some of the materials that will be used to construct the hostels shall include Steel
structural frame; nominally reinforced concrete floor slabs, sand/cement hollow blocks or solid
blocks depending on application, fiber cement boards for non-structural applications, pressed
metal door frames, masonite faced flush panel solid core doors, and natural anodized aluminum
windows with top hung opening sections and permanent louvre ventilation. Old Mutual will
require about U$ 25,000,000.00, which Old Mutual Investment Group has already secured
from investors in a form of equity and debt. Over 250 people will be employed to work at the
site when construction activities begin. Once construction activities are completed, LUANAR
will use the hostels to accommodate students on campus.

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3.0 Stage of the project
The project is at planning and design stage. Activities under planning and design stage include
obtaining different permits and approvals for the project; conducting perimeter and topographic
surveys; conducting feasibility studies, detailed engineering designs and environmental and
social impact assessment studies.

4.0 Methodology for the study

The ESIA study process followed the following steps:
a) Site visits and meetings with the University's management;
b) Desk study of literature materials pertinent to the project and its location;
c) Field survey to collect baseline information through direct observations, interviews
with relevant stakeholders; and
d) Preparation of the ESIA study report as per the Environmental Impact Assessment
Guidelines of 1997.

5.0 Key environmental and social issues

The study identified a number of bio-physical and socio-economic impacts that will be
generated by the activities of the project. A summary of the positive and negative impacts of
the project are outlined below:

5.1 A summary of the key positive impacts identified in this ESIA report include:
The following is a summary of the main positive impacts:
a) Provision of modern and adequate and affordable student accommodation facilities at
LUANAR, Bunda campus;
b) Increased enrolment of university students;
c) Reduced demand for rented out-of-campus accommodation;
d) Increase in performance of students academically as most students will leave close to
the campus and easily access college facilities
e) Creation of Employment;
f) Increase in market for local construction materials;
g) Increase in business activities within the project area;
h) Improve security in the area;
i) Increase in economic activities;
j) Increase in revenue by government through taxes; and
k) Improved aesthetic value.

5.2 Summary of key negative impacts

The following is a summary of the main negative impacts:
i) Labour influx;
ii) Increased generation of waste;
iii) Injuries due to construction works;
iv) Increased risk of dust emission and air pollution;
v) Risk of social conflict;
vi) Increased risk of illicit behavior and crime;
vii) Impacts on community dynamics;
viii) Increased burden on and competition for public service provision;
ix) Increased risk of communicable diseases;
x) Increased cases of accidents;
xi) Possible disruption of public service utilities;
xii) Disruption of flow of traffic and public mobility;

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 xiii) Visual Intrusion;
xiv) Increased demand for sanitary facilities; and
xv) Noise Pollution;
xvi) Increase in the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases;
xvii) Increased energy demand; and
xviii) Increased Water demand

6.0 Conclusion and recommendations of the ESIA study

From the ESIA study that has been conducted, it has been concluded that construction of the
hostels at LUANAR, Bunda campus will generate significant socio-economic benefits to the
students, people in the project area and the country. The study has also identified a number of
negative environmental and social impacts that will arise as a result of the project. However, if
the mitigation measures that have been proposed in this ESIA report will be properly
implemented, the negative impacts will be mitigated by either avoiding, minimizing or even
eliminating some of the negative impacts completely.

It is therefore recommended that Old Mutual Investment Group should implement the project
and should adopt the recommendations advanced in this report. Implementation of different
mitigation measures will ensure that the negative impacts that the project will generate will be
mitigated by either avoiding, minimizing or even eliminating some of the negative impacts
completely.

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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

1.1 Introduction
Old Mutual Investment Group would like to construct students’ hostels at Lilongwe University of
Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) at Bunda Campus under the Public, Private
Partnership (“PPP”) Agreement. Old Mutual will operate the hostels after construction activities
are completed for 35 years, during which period, the developer will recover all its capital
investment and the associated profits. After 35 years of operating the hostels, Old Mutual will hand
over the hostels to LUANAR, Bunda campus to become property of the University.

The decision to construct these hostels at LUANAR follows the realization that there is generally a
critical shortage of modern and adequate students’ hostels in both public and private universities
of Malawi and LUANAR is no exceptional. Shortage of modern and adequate hostels at LUANAR
is negatively affecting students’ enrolment and students’ academic performance. LUANAR does
not have enough bed spaces at Bunda campus. As a result, the institution is not able to enrol many
students. Again, most of the students that are enrolled at LUANAR stay off campus and travel
long distances to access university facilities. It is therefore anticipated that the project will assist
to increase students’ enrolment and will enhance students’ academic performance at LUANAR as
the project will help to create more bed spaces which will accommodate more students on campus.

Considering that construction activities for the project will generate a number of impacts on the
bio-physical and socio-economic environment in the project area and beyond, Old Mutual
Investment Group contracted Environment and Natural Resources Management Consultants to
undertake an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment study and to prepare an Environmental
and Social Impact Assessment report and the associated Environmental and Social Management
Plan and the Environmental and Social Monitoring Plan for the project. The Environmental and
Social Impact Assessment study identified potential environmental and social impacts related to
the activities of the project; assessed the extent and significance of both positive and negative
impacts and came up with measures to enhance the positive impacts and measures to mitigate the
negative impacts.

1.2 Background information

Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) is a university outside the
City of Lilongwe, which was formed in 2011 by a merger between Bunda College of Agriculture,
then a constituent college of the University of Malawi and Natural Resources College (NRC).
Other constituent colleges of the University of Malawi then were College of Medicine, Chancellor
College, Kamuzu College of Nursing and The Polytechnic. Bunda College of Agriculture housed
the Faculty of Agriculture, which was established in 1967. The College used to offer BSc's, MSc's
and PhD degrees in Agriculture, Environmental Sciences and Development Studies. Its mission
was to advance and promote knowledge, skills, self-reliance and sound character for "sustainable
food production and utilization; improving income, food security and nutrition; and conservation
and management of biodiversity, the environment and natural resources. Nearby was the C ollege
farm which was serving commercial, practical, academic and research purposes.

1
1.2.1 Vision, Mission and Aims of the University
LUANAR was established to address the problems of limited University access and to increase
the pool of well-trained human resource in the country that will accelerate socio-economic
development of Malawi. LUANAR as a new university had its first intake in 2012. The vision of
LUANAR is "to be a world class University".

Its mission is to advance knowledge and produce relevant graduates with entrepreneurship skills
for agricultural growth, food security, wealth creation and sustainable natural resources
management, through teaching, training, research, outreach consultancy and sound management.

The University aims to:

a) provide quality education and training in agricultural and natural resources sciences,
engineering and irrigation technologies, agro-processing, entrepreneurship, trade, climate
change adaptation, sustainable utilization of natural resources and environmental
preservation for socio-economic development;
b) encourage the advancement, dissemination and commercialization of research;
c) promote industrial growth through research and dissemination of knowledge and skills;
d) establish and support science and technology innovation Centre of excellence for industrial
production and manufacturing of value added agricultural and natural resource products;

develop partnerships with relevant industries for the generation, transfer, adoption and
application of technologies;

a) develop into an institution of excellence in teaching, learning, training Information

Communication Technology (ICT), e-learning and research in science, technology and
biotechnology;
b) promote practical university education, research and training so as to respond to the needs
of Malawi, Africa and the world;
c) demonstrate and promote entrepreneurship among its students;
d) provide specialist training in such subjects as may be found desirable by the University
Council and the nation; and
e) provide opportunities and facilities for accessing information in support of the programs of
the University.

1.2.2 Faculties of the University

The University has five faculties namely Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Development Studies,
Faculty of Food and Human Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, and Faculty of Postgraduate
studies.

1.2.2.1 Faculty of Agriculture

The Faculty of Agriculture is the oldest of the five faculties at LUANAR. It was established on 26
November 1967. It has five departments namely; Agricultural Engineering, Crop and Soil
Sciences, Animal Science, Horticulture and Veterinary Medicine.

2
1.2.2.2 Faculty of Development Studies
The Faculty of Development Studies was established in 2004 at LUANAR. The faculty has five
departments namely; Agriculture Education and Development Communication, Agricultural and
Applied Economics, Extension and Rural Development and Agribusiness Management.

1.2.2.3 Faculty of Food and Human Sciences

Established on 1 November 2013, the Faculty of Food and Human Sciences is comprised of three
departments; Food Science and Technology, Human Nutrition and Health and Human Ecology.

1.2.2.4 Faculty of Natural Resources

The Faculty of Natural Resources was established on 1 July 2001. It comprises of Aquaculture and
Fisheries Science, Environmental Sciences and Management and Forestry departments.

1.2.2.5 Faculty of Postgraduate studies

The Faculty of Postgraduate Studies at Bunda campus has been operating over 20 years then under
Bunda College of Agriculture and now under LUANAR. The faculty has been offering post-
graduate training in various disciplines, which boast regional excellence. The programmes have
attracted students sponsored by many reputable institutions, including GTZ/SACCAR, DANIDA,
Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development (Malawi), IDRC, ARDEP, ALO, the
Scottish Government, NOMA, SADC/SCARDA, the Ministry of Agriculture (Malawi), NORAD,
and RUFORUM. The faculty has trained students from many countries such as Ethiopia, Uganda,
Tanzania, Swaziland, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, Mozambique and Malawi.
The cultural diversity of the postgraduate students, coupled with their seniority calls for the need
to provide modern and adequate student hostels facilities at LUANAR, Bunda campus which will
assist to increase postgraduate students’ enrolment and to enhance their academic performance.

The Faculty of postgraduate studies at LUANAR offers the following postgraduate training
programmes in different disciplines, in response to national, regional and international needs:
a) Doctoral Programmes;
b) Masters Programmes; and
c) Postgraduate Diploma Programmes.

1.2.3 Campuses of the University

The University’s main campus is at Bunda. Figure 1.1 provides an overview picture of the
LUANAR campus at Bunda.

3
Figure 1. 1 An Overview picture of LUANAR campus at Bunda

LUANAR has a second campus at NRC campuses. Figure 1.2 provides an overview picture of
LUANAR campus at NRC.

Figure 1. 2 An overview picture of the NRC Campus

The other campus is City Campus. Besides, LUANAR has satellite centres in Lilongwe
City, Blantyre and Mzuzu for Open and Distance Learning. As of 2017, the university had a student
body of 8000 to 8500.

1.2.3.1 Bunda campus of LUANAR

The university intake has increased over time from 800 students per year to 5,000 students per
year. The increase in the student intake has put so much pressure on student hostels, and teaching
and learning facilities. Currently the campus only has 1,000 bed spaces implying that over 4,000

4
students stay off campus either with their relatives in town or find their own hostels around Bunda
campus. Furthermore, most of the available bed spaces are of shared room type with shared
bathrooms and toilets, which is not suitable for graduate students. The off-campus hostels in most
cases is not decent and conducive for university education. It is therefore anticipated that the
project will increase students’ enrolment both at undergraduate and graduate levels and will
enhance students’ academic performance as the project will create modern and adequate hostels
facilities at the campus.

1.3 Nature and scope of the students’ hostels

The project will construct students hostels at LUANAR, Bunda campus, access roads and car
parks. To avoid space wastage, the hostels will be high rising buildings with a minimum of three
storeys. The hostels will be fitted with elevators to allow students move freely to and from different
floors. The different categories of students will be accommodated in different hostels. In all, there
will be 1 Postgraduate (PhD) students’ hostel, 2 Postgraduate (Masters) students’ hostels and 10
undergraduate students’ hostels. In all the 13 hostels will have a total capacity of 4,698 bed spaces
broken down into 3,388 bed spaces for undergraduate students, 480 bed spaces for Master of
Science Students, and 132 bed spaces for PhD students.

Hostels for undergraduate students will have 5 floors with rooms with 2 beds and built in furniture
such as book shelves, reading desks, reading lumps, lockers/wardrobes and other storage facilities.
The students will use common shower rooms, toilets and laundry facilities. Each hostel wing will
be self-contained with each wing having its own set of combined toilets/bathroom, kitchen and
laundry facilities. The ground floor for the hostels for the undergraduate students will consist of a
lounge and a purposely-built hygiene communal area (like food court). The food court will be in
a form of a combination of self-catering services and spaces which will be demarcated into several
lockable kiosks (which will be let out) and provide various foods to students.

Hostels for Masters’ of Science students will have rooms with single beds with built in furniture
such as book shelves, reading desks, reading lumps, lockers/wardrobes and other storage facilities.
Some rooms will be self-contained while others will not. The hostels will have 3 floors with shared
common lounge area on every floor. Each wing of the hostels will be self-contained with its own
set of combined toilets/bathrooms, kitchen and laundry facilities.

Hostels for PhD Students will comprise of a combination of single studio flats each with
kitchenette and will be ensuites, and 2-bedroomed family flats with lounge/dining, kitchenette and
family bathroom. The hostels will have 3 floors with shared common room/lounge area on ground
floor only. The lower ground floor will accommodate offices and stores for the facilities manager.

Activities for the project will be implemented in four phases namely planning, construction,
demobilization, and operation and maintenance phases. Activities under planning phase include
obtaining different permits and approvals for the project; conducting perimeter and topographic
surveys; conducting feasibility studies, detailed engineering designs and environmental and social
impact assessment studies.

Activities under construction phase shall include site establishment; mobilization of workers;
transportation of equipment (bull dozers, caterpillars, heavy duty vehicles, etc); transportation of

5
construction materials (e.g. stone aggregates, steel, cement blocks, sand, cement, gravel, fiber
cement boards, pressed metal door frames, masonite faced flush panel solid core doors, and natural
anodized aluminium windows etc); construction of workers’ camp; clearing of access roads and
diversions; excavation and stockpiling of excavated materials (gravel and aggregate stone);
cordoning; fencing the area within which access will be limited to construction workers and people
working at the campus; construction of the camp structures; and construction hostel facilities.

Construction will generally be of plain concrete strip footing, load bearing cement blocks walls in
foundations, load bearing cement blocks walls, reinforced concrete ground slab, steel frame
structure, steel roof structure, steel door frames and windows, timber doors, ceramic tiles to some
floors and glazed tiles to walls in toilets, lime putty plaster and paint to the rest of the walls
internally, fair face pointed externally, painted ceiling, joinery fittings, sanitary, plumbing and
electrical services.

Construction activities will take 36 months starting from June 2019 – May 2022 and will require
about U$ 25,000,000.00, which Old Mutual Investment Group has already secured from investors
in a form of equity and debt. Over 250 people will be employed to work at the site when
construction activities begin. Once construction activities are completed, the college will use the
facility to accommodate students on campus.

Activities under demobilization phase will include laying off workforce employed during
construction phase; demobilization of equipment; demolition of workers and Contractor’s camp;
rehabilitation/restoration of access roads; closure and restoration of materials storage yards;
removal of construction wastes; re-vegetating areas that were cleared by the Contractor along the
access roads and restoration of damaged areas; and places occupied by the project construction
facilities to other beneficial uses.

Activities during operation and maintenance phase will include commissioning the use and
regular maintenance of the constructed hostels facility for the intended purpose.

1.4 Project Proponent

The project proponent is Old Mutual Investment Group. Details of the project proponent are
provided as follows:

Project Developer: Old Mutual Investment Group

Project details: Construction of a Hostel facility at College of Medicine, Lilongwe
Campus
Postal Address: Old Mutual Investment Group, Old Mutual Building, 30 Glyn
Jones Road, P.O. Box 393, Blantyre
Contact Person: Ms. Linda Kumsinda
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 0999953970

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1.5 Project Location
Bunda campus of LUANAR is located 30 km from Lilongwe City along the Lilongwe – Mitundu
road about 15 km from off Lilongwe-Blantyre. Figure 1.3 provides the location details of the
campus while Figure 1.4 provides site specific map for the hostels.

7
Figure 1. 3 Location Map for hostels project at LUANAR at Bunda campus

8
Figure 1. 4 Map of existing establishments in the project area at LUANAR

9
1.6 Current status of the Project
The project is at design stage. Activities at this stage include obtaining different permits and
approvals; conducting perimeter and topographic surveys; conducting feasibility studies, detailed
engineering designs and environmental and social impact assessment study. It is expected that the
environmental and social management measures that have been prescribed in this ESIA report will
be incorporated into the project activities during construction phase.

1.7 Project objectives

The hostels that will be constructed will assist to increase enrolment and enhance students’
academic performance at LUANAR, Bunda campus. Once construction activities are completed,
the LUANAR will use the hostels to accommodate more students on campus who will then have
easy and an increased access to different learning facilities at LUANAR. Besides, the new hostels
will provide conducive amenities to facilitate learning.

1.8 Objective of Environme ntal and Social Impact Assessment study

The objective of the ESIA study was to ensure that environmental concerns are integrated in all
project activities in order to contribute to sustainable development. The specific objectives of
conducting the Environment and Social Impact Assessment study with respect to the project was
to:
a) Examine in detail the likely adverse environmental impacts;
b) Propose appropriate mitigation measures for the significant negative impacts; and
c) Develop an Environmental and Social Management Plan with mechanisms for monitoring
and evaluating compliance and environmental performance.

1.9 Scope of the ESIA study

The ESIA study was prepared as per the guidelines provided under the Environmental Impact
Assessment Guidelines of 1997. The ESIA contains Introduction and background to the project in
Chapter 1, Project Description in Chapter 2, Consideration of Alternatives in Chapter 3,
Biophysical and Socio-Economic Environment in Chapter 4, Malawi’s Environmental Regulatory
Framework in Chapter 5, Impact Identification and their Management Measures in Chapter 6,
Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plans in Chapter 7 and Conclusion and
Recommendations in Chapter 8.

1.10 Potential Users of the ESIA report

The ESIA and the associated ESMP has been prepared for use by different stakeholders to be
involved in the planning, implementation, management and monitoring of the project activities.
Some of the users will include the Developer; Contractor; Lilongwe District Council; LUANAR
Bunda Campus; Environmental Affairs Department; and Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban
Development. The report contains useful information on policies and procedures to be adhered to,
implementation modalities, analysis of potential environmental and social impacts and suggested
mitigation measures at various stages of the project activities.

1.11 Methodology
The ESIA study for the project was carried out in accordance with the Terms of Reference that
were provided by Old Mutual Investment Group as provided in Annex 1. The study was undertaken
between August and November 2018 and included the following methodology:

10
 a) Literature review;
b) Site visits; and
c) Stakeholder consultation.

1.11.1 Literature Review

Literature review involved acquisition and review of project documents, reports, maps and
drawings relevant to the project. Other documents reviewed included different pieces of national
legislation, policies, guidelines and regulations as well as international policies and guidelines and
procedures. Examples of information obtained from different documents include project design
and planned project activities.

1.11.2 Site visits

The objectives of site visits were to observe and capture baseline data on the existing biophysical
and socio-economic environment of the project area. In addition, the visits provided an opportunity
to consult stakeholders and senior government officials on their views regarding the project and
its potential impacts.

1.11.3 Stakeholder consultations

Stakeholder Consultations formed an important feature of the ESIA study. The consultation meetings
provided an opportunity for stakeholders, particularly community members around the project area to
express their views on the project as well as to raise any issues of concern relating to the Project. The
methodology employed for stakeholder consultations included:
a) Public meetings (where general information about the project was delivered, Questions and
Answers conducted);
b) Focus Group Discussions with only those people who will be potentially affected by the
project; and
c) Key Informant Interviews (KII) which covered different individuals in the project area.

Stakeholder consultation meetings were conducted in the project area to:

a) inform different stakeholders about the project;
b) provide an opportunity for the stakeholders to discuss their opinions and concerns;
c) manage stakeholders’ expectations and misconceptions regarding the project;
d) verify the significance of environmental, social and health impacts identified;
e) disseminate concepts of the Project activities with a view to provoking Project interest amongst
the stakeholders;
f) promote sense of ownership for the Project; and
g) inform the process of developing appropriate mitigation measures.

Details of the people consulted and comments provided are presented in Annex 2 while details of
Consultants who conducted the ESIA studies are provided in Annex 3.

1.12 Existing Land Uses in the Project Area

Land for the project belongs to LUANAR, Bunda Campus. The campus has 1,482 ha of land out of
which 100,640 m² will be used to accommodate the hostels, service areas, covered walkways and
terraces, drying yards and storm drains. The project therefore will not require any additional land out
of the campus hence no issues of land take, resettlement and compensation will arise as the project will
only use land that belongs to LUANAR, Bunda campus.

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CHAPTER 2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2.1 Project design considerations

The overall design of the hostels will promote use of construction materials, which are
environmentally friendly, durable, and vandal-proof and those which require minimal periodic
maintenance. The general design considerations will incorporate aspects of modern architecture,
the current local government building policy guidelines and the latest standards developed by
NCIC and the National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) Architectural Metric Handbook
which will include:

a) Ventilation: The design will cater for natural ventilation with features that encourage
natural air circulation (including use of permanent air vents above all doors and windows);

b) Lighting: The design caters for various types of energy efficient luminaries including
fluorescent lamps and natural lighting through glass windows and doors as appropriate for
both security and lighting;

c) Sanitary accommodation: The number of toilets and wash hand basins will be selected
according to the number of students in each hostel;

d) Waste water management: Waste water will be managed through wastewater

stabilization ponds

e) Sustainable resource use: The design of the hostels will incorporate landscaped gardens
which will be planted with suitable species of trees / shrubs and grass to prevent ecological
deterioration and improve aesthetic value of the site. Part of the excavated soil will be used
for landscaping therefore reducing the amount of soil to be transported away from the site;

f) Solid waste management: The campus management will be required to contract a waste
handler for proper waste disposal; and

g) Fire protections: The design of the hostels will incorporate fire- fighting equipment to be
installed in each building.

2.2 Description of main project activities

Activities for the project shall be implemented in four phases namely planning, construction,
demobilization, and operation and maintenance phases. Details of each of the phases are provided
in the sections that follow.

2.2.1. Planning phase

Planning phase for the project commenced in August 2017 and will be concluded in April 2019.
Activities during planning phase include identification of land for the project; land surveying;
preparation of a master plan; preparation of detailed lay out plans; preparation of building designs,
tender processing, obtaining approvals under the Physical Planning Act No 17 of 2016 and the
Bye-Laws and obtaining different approvals necessary for construction and operation of the project
facilities. Environmental and Social Impact Assessment study is part of the planning phase.

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2.2.2. Construction phase

2.2.2.1 Consideration for constructing different structures

Different considerations will be given when constructing different project structures. These will
aim to provide stability and durability of the structures. Some of the considerations are discussed
in the sections that follow.

a) Founding conditions
The hostels will require foundation on a good and uniform soil to avoid deferential settlement. A
full geotechnical investigation shall be conducted to ascertain the exact founding conditions of the
structures for the hostels. A soil raft of min 300mm thick G5 material will be used as pioneer layer.

b) Durability of the concrete

Durability of any concrete is dependent on the cement being used, aggregates, admixtures, concrete
mix design and curing. Ordinary Portland Cements (OPC) shall be used to construct the hostels. Rapid
hardening cements will be avoided due to greater evolution of heat which can lead to increased
shrinkage cracking.

Local quarries will be inspected and aggregates which will be used will be tested and certified. Care
shall be taken not to use admixtures containing calcium or chlorides, as these will increase the risk of
reinforcement corrosion. Plasticizers will be considered, as increased workability is advantageous
when working with complex shaped structures and structural forms.

Construction activities will take 36 months starting from June 2019 – May 2022. Over 250 people will
be employed to work at the site when construction activities begin. Construction activities will involve
land clearing; landscaping; grading; excavation; compacting; trenching; construction of service
infrastructure such access roads and a car park, construction of a workers’ camp which will provide
hostels to workers, storage facilities and an office facility; backfilling with compaction consolidation;
levelling and earth marking; transportation of building materials; and construction of different
infrastructures and other related buildings. Other infrastructure such as drainages and utility
reticulation shall also be constructed. Details of facilities that will be constructed are provided in Table
2.1 and Figure 2.1 provides a site plan, which provides the location of the hostels in relation to other
facilities on the project site.

Table 2. 1 Details of the hostels to be constructed

Beds No. of buildings Type Block Total

area (m²) gross area (m²)
3,388 10 x 5 storeys Undergraduate students 8000 80,000
480 2 x 3 storeys Postgraduate (MSc 6620 13,240
students)
132 1 x 3 storeys Postgraduate (PhD 7400 7400
students)
4000 13 100,640m²
Note: Gross Area includes service areas, covered walkways and terraces, drying yards.

13
Figure 2. 1 Lay out plan for the proposed hostels at LUANAR, Bunda campus

14
2.2.2.2 Construction activities

a) Site Preparation
Activities under site preparation will include land clearing, grading and excavation, construction
of auxiliary structures where necessary such as access roads etc., leveling and earth marking.

b) Construction of the workers’ camp

The project contractor will build a workers’ camp at the project site which will be used to provide
residence for workers as well as act as project administration offices, storage facilities for different
building materials and equipment, workshop for servicing the vehicles and construction
machinery. A number of factors will be considered when selecting the camp site. The factors shall
include topography of the site, proximity of the site to the project site, availability of water and
other considerations.

Toilets as well as bath rooms shall be constructed on the site for use by the workforce. The ground
shall be covered with aggregate stone to minimize dust and prevent mud when it rains. Retention
bunds shall be constructed around fuel and oil storage areas and all drainages and effluents from
the workers’ camp shall be treated before being discharged into the drainage system.

c) Construction of new hostels

Some of the activities to be undertake will include excavation of foundation footing, laying down
a brick base; pouring a concrete slab, installation of framework, installation of plumbing workers,
putting a wall frame, roofing and finishing.

2.2.2.3 Construction workers

In all, about 250 people will be employed during construction phase. The people to be employed
will include a minimum of 40% women in the workforce. The people will include supervisors,
skilled and unskilled laborers. For the semiskilled and unskilled workers, the Contractor will
employ people from the communities which live around the project area as a way of making sure
that the project benefits the people community members in the project area.

2.2.2.4 Construction equipment

Different machinery will be used to construct the project facilities. These will include:
a) Bull Dozers for clearing the site, removal of top soil and vegetation materials, and pushing
out stumps;
b) Graders for grading and levelling land for buildings and access road formation;
c) Tippers/lorries for transporting construction materials and workers;
d) Light machinery like pedestrian rollers for access road compaction;
e) Heavy rollers for access roads compaction;
f) Front end loader for loading materials onto tippers and lorries;
g) Several light equipment like wheel burrows, shovels, picks;
h) Concrete mixers;
i) Earth mover;
j) Compactor;
k) Wheelbarrow; and

15
 l) Hammers and bolt and nut fasteners, hand saw, electric and gas welders, electric saws and
grinders, load roller, trucks, hand drills and drill bits, wire cutters, concrete mixer trucks,
wheel loader, fork lift, excavator etc.

2.2.2.5 Construction materials

Different raw materials will be required during construction phase. Materials such as sand, gravel
and quarry stone will be obtained from approved sources in the surrounding areas. Quarry stone
will be obtained from Terrastone and Kautsi Quarries. Sand will be obtained from Salima while
water for construction activities will be obtained from Gomani Dam which is located 4 km away
from the campus. The sites where quarry stone, gravel and sand will be collected from are approved
sites.

Use of concrete blocks for construction of different infrastructures will be more environmentally
friendly than use of burnt bricks, which contribute to deforestation. The concrete blocks are
stronger and long lasting, do not lead to deforestation as burnt bricks do and that procurement of
large quantities of cement for making the concrete blocks will contribute to increased growth of
the local economy.

Other materials such as cement, paints, timber, roofing materials, windows, doors and other
joinery, tilt and roller doors, wallboard and plasterboard, light fittings, fuel and oil, electricity,
water, ceramic tiles, polythene, steel, steel pipes, PVC pipes, adhesives, copper wires, gas
(acetlylene and oxygen), cardboard will also be sourced for the project. Construction materials
will be sourced depending on the construction stage.

Construction will be done by a private contractor and the client will hire a supervising engineer
to supervise the construction phase of the project to ensure that the contractor complies with the
design standards. The developer together with the Ministry of Transport and Public Works
Officials (Buildings Department) will closely be involved in supervising the works and monitoring
process. Construction will require various input materials to produce several outputs. Table 2.2
outlines the inputs and outputs during the construction phase.

Table 2. 2 Overview of the main inputs and outputs from the project

Category of developments on the Main inputs into the Main outputs from the
site activities activities

Construction of service infrastructure

Land preparation activities
Land surveying Excavators, graders Lay out plan for the
and surveying infrastructure
equipment

Site development activities

Land harrowing and land levelling Excavators and Levelled land
graders

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 Construction of an access road Graders, caterpillars, Earth access road upgraded to
compactors, gravel gravel standard
Reticulation of water facilities Water pipes and Underground reticulation of
accessories water facilities
Reticulation of electricity facilities Wooden poles, a Installation of electricity
transformer, Electrical facilities in the new and
wires and tubes rehabilitated structures
Telecommunication Poles, wires, radio Installed telecommunication
receivers, dual network
channel lines
Construction of hostels and other facilities
Construction of the hostels, access Cement blocks, Completed hostels, access
roads and car parks cement, quarry, roads and car parks
planks, iron sheets,
steel, steel windows,
steel doors, window
panes, sand, gravel
and water
Construction of waste water management systems
Construction of man holes for Pipes, channels and Manholes for connecting to the
connecting to sewer line to waste trenches sewer line to waste water
water treatment plant. treatment plant

2.2.3 Demobilization Phase

Decommissioning of the hostels is not expected to occur under the project, and potential future
issues can be minimized by avoiding use of hazardous materials in the initial construction of
different hostel structures. Decommissioning of auxiliary facilities such as quarries/ borrow pits
could be an issue, but these are unlikely to be opened specifically for the construction of the hostels
hence construction works will use existing quarries/borrow pits to obtain aggregate stone and
gravel.

The main activities to be undertaken during demobilisation phase shall include laying off
construction workers, removal of construction equipment and left-over materials, rehabilitating
degraded areas within the construction site, levelling the site and landscaping. Demobilization will
take place from June – August 2022. Rubble from construction activities and demolished workers’
camp and other waste from construction activities will be used as fillers to level off all the degraded
areas within the project site and within the surrounding communities in collaboration with Project
Engineer.

2.2.4 Operation and maintenance phase

Activities during operation and maintenance phase will include commissioning use and regular
maintenance of the student hostels. The effect of this is that large volumes of different wastes both
solid and liquid will be generated and will require to be managed properly.

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CHAPTER 3 CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVES
Alternatives to projects are different ways to achieve the same purpose that the project intends to
achieve. Environmental and Social Assessments require looking into alternatives to the projects in
order to make prudent decisions.

3.1 Factors considered

3.1.1 Existing policies, legislation and standards regarding construction industry in Malawi
A review of available policies, legislation and standards for construction industry in Malawi was
carried out to ensure that construction of hostels at LUANAR, Bunda campus conforms with
required standards. This was done to ensure safety of the buildings.

3.1.2 Environmental considerations

Environmental factors were also considered when choosing building materials, citing of other
facilities such as wastewater treatment facilities and choice of wastewater treatment technologies.
This was done in order to ensure that the project does not cause irreparable damage to the
environment.

3.1.3 Cost benefit analysis

An analysis of technologies to be used was made to ensure that the amount of money that was
budgeted for the project is adequate. However, this was done without compromising the quality or
safety of the buildings.

3.1.4 Location and layout alternatives

The location and layout alternatives were not considered since the hostels will be built within the
premises where other structures for Bunda campus exist and therefore alternative sitting and layout
was not an option.

3.2 Project alternatives

The project alternative is defined as a possible course of action, in place of another that will meet
the same purpose and needs. The role of project alternatives is to find the most effective way of
meeting the need and purpose of the project, either through enhancing environmental benefits of
the proposed activity, and or through reducing or avoiding potentially significant negative impacts.
The assessment has therefore analyzed the following alternatives: Do-Nothing /‘Without Project'
Option; Develop the project; Technologies alternatives; Alternatives to building materials; and
environmental and social considerations of alternatives.

3.2.1 Do-Nothing /‘Without Project' Option

The “Do Nothing alternative” sometimes referred to as the ‘no-action’ alternative’ assumes that
the project does not go ahead, implying that construction of the hostels and other support facilities
will not be undertaken. Table 3.1 presents the advantages and disadvantages of this alternative. It
is important to note that this Do-Nothing alternative is the baseline against which all other
alternatives and the development proposal have been assessed. The Do-Nothing alternative will
not register any of the impacts (both positive and negative) associated with project. The Do-
nothing alternative will entail continued absence of modern and adequate hostels facilities at the
campus. Failure to build the new hostels at the campus will affect students’ intake at LUANAR,

18
Bunda campus as the campus will not be able to accommodate many students. Besides, the absence
of modern and adequate hostels facilities at the campus will negatively affect students’
performance as most students will continue to stay off campus and far away from Bunda campus
there by having difficulties to access university facilities.

Table 3. 1 Advantages and Disadvantages of the “Do-Nothing alternative”

Advantages Disadvantages
The natural resources meant to be used for The new hostels at the campus will not be
construction works at the site such as sand, constructed. Instead, the hostels problems
water, and quarry will be saved. being experienced at the campus will continue
and will continue to affect students’ enrolment
and their academic performance.
The different social and economic impacts the Access roads to new hostels will not be
project would cause in the project area will not constructed.
occur.
Loss of employment opportunity for both
skilled and unskilled workers expected to be
employed during construction of the new
hostels.
Lack of a modern and adequate hostels at the
campus which will continue to affect students’
enrolment and their academic performance.

The Do-Nothing alternative means that the new hostels will not be constructed at the campus.
Without constructing the modern and adequate hostels facilities at the campus, LUANAR will not
be able to increase its intake and students’ performance will not be improved as the students who
stay off campus will continue to walk long distances to access the university facilities. The
alternative was therefore not a preferred alternative.

3.2.2 Develop the project alternative

The alternative was considered assuming that construction of the new hostels will proceed as
proposed. The alternative will induce several environmental and socio-economic impacts both
positive and negative. Table 3.2 provides the positive impacts (advantages of the alternative) and
the negative impacts (disadvantages of the alternative).

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Table 3. 2 Advantages and disadvantages of the "Develop the project alternative"

Positive impacts (advantages of the Negative impacts (disadvantages of the

alternative) alternative).

Increased employment opportunities at local Loss of vegetation due to land clearance

and national level especially during during construction
construction phase
Creation of market for goods and services Increased waste generation (solid and liquid)
from construction camps and construction
sites
Increased economic activities within the Population influx due to migration of
project area construction workers to the site
Skills transfer to different people at local and Social disruption and family instability due
national level to influx of people to the area
Increased students enrolment Generation of construction waste
Improved students’ performance Construction related accidents
Increased risk of illicit behavior and crime
Influx of additional population (“followers”)
Impacts on community dynamics
Increased burden on and competition for
public service provision

The alternative will generate both positive and negative impacts once the project activities are
implemented as proposed. However, the anticipated negative impacts can be easily mitigated
during construction and operation phase. The “Develop the Project” alternative is therefore a
preferred alternative since it will lead to socio- economic development of the country through
increased students’ intake and improved students’ performance.

3.3 Alternative building technologies

In the construction industry, there are a number of choices on the building materials. The choice
of building materials can determine the durability of the structures to be built, the beauty of the
structures, the cost of building the structures and the damage that can be impacted on the
environment. Four options, use of burnt bricks, use of eco bricks, stabilized soil blocks and
concrete bricks were considered as follows:

3.3.1 Use of burnt bricks

In Malawi, use of burnt bricks is generally perceived as cheap because they are locally made and
can be close to the project sites. The traditional fired/burnt bricks are made from soil that is mixed
with water, dried in the sun there after baked using wood fuel.

Disadvantage of burnt bricks

For a large project, a large amount of firewood and soil will be required to produce adequate
amount of bricks. This can lead to destruction of natural forests and land degradation due to
formation of borrow pits.

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Advantages of burnt bricks
a) Bricks are strong and durable;
b) They are made locally;
c) They don’t require special skills to make;
d) They can be obtained closer to project sites;
e) They require low maintenance cost;
f) Have excellent thermal mass i.e. in winter they keep the buildings warmer while in summer
they keep the buildings cooler; and
g) They are fire resistant.

3.3.2 Stabilised soil blocks (SSB)

Stabilised soil blocks are made by mixing soil and cement in appropriate proportions. The process
requires skilled labour because the strength of the bricks depends on the mixture and quality of
soil used.

Disadvantage of SSB
The use of soils for a large project can lead to borrow pits which can lead to ponding and creation
of breeding grounds for disease victors. However, the cost is lower than the cement blocks.

Advantages of SSB
a) SSB allows users to produce uniform blocks of greater strength than typical fired blocks
that provide better thermal insulation;
b) The total cost of building a structure with SSB is 20%-30% cheaper than building with
fired bricks because far less mortar is required;
c) SSB can be made on site so transportation costs are minimized;
d) SSB are environmentally friendly because they are cured in the sun as such do not
contribute to deforestation as compared to fired/burnt bricks; and
e) The bricks have an appealing aesthetic with an elegant profile and uniform size that doesn’t
require plastering.

3.3.3 Concrete blocks

Concrete blocks are made from a mixture of quarry dust and cement to which water is added. Like
SSB, the mixture is compacted using a manual machine to ensure strength and quality.

Disadvantage of concrete blocks

The bricks are usually expensive due to increased costs of cement.

Advantages of Concrete blocks

a) Like SSB, concrete blocks allow users to produce uniform blocks of greater strength;
b) Concrete blocks can be made on site so transportation costs are minimized; and
c) Because Concrete blocks are cured in the sun, there is no fuel needed thereby helping to
curb deforestation as such they are environmentally friendly like SSB;
d) Concrete blocks are strong and durable; and
Concrete blocks are fire resistant.

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3.3.4 Eco bricks
The main building materials in Malawi in both urban and rural setting are burnt bricks, which are
made from soil that is mixed with water, dried in the sun thereafter baked using wood fuel. Two
major concerns in the Malawi brick sector are increased deforestation due to use of fuel wood and
poor brick quality resulting in poor construction quality. All the brick making activities use fuel
wood fired in clamps. It has been calculated that the brick industry in Malawi alone consumes
around 850,000 metric tonnes (MT) of fuel wood per year. At this rate of fuel wood consumption,
the entire country will be deforested within 25-30 years only from the brick industry. In Malawi,
because more fuel wood is consumed than re-grown, the combustion of wood results in an
increased amount of carbon dioxide emission in the atmosphere which adds to the greenhouse gas
effect. In the clamp around 20MT wood is consumed to fire 40,000 bricks. For smaller diameter
wood, the consumption is more. With the kind of wood being used the average specific energy
consumption in clamps is around 3.66 MJ/kg. This is expected to be much higher since the required
temperature and quality is not achieved.

Eco bricks are made using the Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln (VSBK) Technology for firing the green
bricks. The VSBK (Eco Kiln) technology is based on vertical shaft principles and is the most
energy efficient and environmentally friendly burnt brick production technology available
globally. The technology does not use fuel wood. Instead it uses waste material containing carbon
to fire green bricks. Thus, if VSBK is adopted to replace clamps, then it will result in:
a) Saving of 850,000 tonnes of fuel wood annually;
b) Saving of 1,500,000 tonnes of CO 2 annually;
c) Recurring income of USD 9 million worth of foreign exchange annually;
d) Creation of more than 1,000 small to medium scale enterprises in the SME sector and
ancillary industries;
e) Creation of more than 20,000 sustainable “Green Jobs” thereby helping in reducing
poverty;
f) Use of more than 90,000 tonnes of industrial waste (e.g. boiler ash and leftovers of tobacco
industry, duff coal) supporting the Malawi’s contribution towards reducing pollution;
g) Recurring use of 50,000 tons of coal creating a business of USD 10 million within the
country thereby promoting inclusive growth;
h) Improving the quality of housing in Malawi and incurring a saving of around 40% from
bricks and mortar alone;
i) Reducing the embodied energy in housing, thereby pioneering the path of energy saving in
Africa;
j) Greenhouse gas emissions are also enviably less making it an obvious choice for the carbon
market;
k) VSBK is versatile and can be adapted to any scale of production;
l) It produces consistent quality bricks with higher returns than clamp brick production; and
m) Is cheaper than SSB and concrete blocks.

After analysing advantages and disadvantages of using SSB, concrete blocks, burnt bricks, and
eco bricks, it was found that not only are eco bricks environmentally friendly since they do not use
wood fuel for curing but also their use is cost effective since they do not use cement, which raises
the cost of producing SSB and concrete blocks. Considering all these, Eco bricks are the preferred
building materials compared to SSB, burnt bricks and concrete blocks and are followed by SSB as

22
one saves on transport costs when using SSB since these can be made on site. The walling material
for construction of the project facilities should therefore be made of SSB and Eco bricks.

3.4 Alternative sewage disposal methods

It is expected that during operation phase more than 400,000 liters of wastewater will be generated
on daily basis. This volume was calculated based on assumption that for the additional 4,000 bed
spaces, one individual generates about 100 liters of wastewater per day. As such, there is need to
consider how to properly manage and dispose of this volume of wastewater. Considering that most
areas in Lilongwe are not connected to any sewerage for wastewater treatment, options such as use
of septic tanks and use of wastewater stabilization ponds were considered and are discussed as
follows:

3.4.1 Use of septic tanks

Use of septic tanks to manage wastewater was one of the options that were considered. Advantages
of using septic tanks over wastewater stabilization ponds (WSP) include:
a) Septic tanks are easier to operate than WSP as such they do not require personnel to manage
its operations except when there are blockages;
b) Septic tanks do not generate odor as they are usually under cover;
c) Septic tanks do not require a lot of space as compared to WSP; and
d) Septic tanks are not left open as the case is with WSP which become breeding ground for
vector insects and pose as potential hazards to the general public and children in case of
drowning.

The main disadvantage of using septic tanks is that they need periodic emptying, and this could
raise the operation cost over time. With the large volume of effluents that will be discharged from
the project during operation, the septic tanks will need to be emptied time and again making the
alternative not viable.

3.4.2 Discharging liquid waste to wastewater stabilization ponds

LUANAR, Bunda campus is connected to waste water stabilization ponds, which exist at the
campus. The facility assists the campus to discharge liquid waste in an environmentally friendly
manner.

Disadvantages of discharging liquid waste to the wastewater stabilization ponds are:

a) Space will be required at the campus for treating waste water;
b) If not properly managed, wastewater stabilization ponds result into breeding grounds for
mosquitoes;
c) There will be odor at the campus; and
d) No need for periodic emptying as the case is with septic tanks.

The advantage of discharging liquid waste to the waste water stabilization ponds is that the waste
water is contained properly with no potential to pollute recipient water body.

3.4.3 Use of wastewater stabilization ponds

Use of wastewater stabilization ponds is one of the commonly used methods of treating wastewater
in the tropics. Although this is one of the cheapest ways of treating wastewater, the method requires

23
more space than the other wastewater treatment facilities. Since space is a limiting factor for the
project, this is not a preferred option.

Disadvantages of using WSP include:

a) WSP require more space than other wastewater treatment facilities;
b) If not properly managed, wastewater stabilization ponds result into breeding grounds for
mosquitoes;
c) Can generate odour if the system is not operating effectively; and
d) Has the potential to pollute recipient water body if there is system failure as such it needs
personnel to manage to ensure that it operates effectively and efficiently;

Advantages of using WSP include:

a) As compared to septic tanks, WSP do not require emptying of wastewater as it is discharged
into the environment after its treatment;
b) Cheap and easy to operate;

Considering that the campus already has the waste water stabilizing ponds away from other
structures such as class rooms, hostels and the administration block, the alternative was a preferred
alternative.

3.5 Alternative solid waste disposal methods

3.5.1 Food Waste

With the increased number of students at the campus, it is expected that food waste will be
generated on daily basis and an analysis of alternative disposal methods was made as follows:

3.5.1.1 Use of rubbish pits

The use of rubbish pits at the campus to dispose of food waste was considered as one of the
alternatives. However, this option was not favoured because this could lead to breeding of
houseflies and could attract scavengers such as dogs and cats. Despite this, advantages include low
cost in terms of operation because there will be no costs related to transportation and handling of
the waste.

3.5.1.2 Use of waste disposal site operated by Lilongwe District Council

This method involves arranging with Lilongwe District Council to collect waste food for disposal
at designated dumping site for the council. However, in an event that the council fails to collect
the waste food, the waste food can produce bad odour which can attract flies, dogs etc. As such
for this arrangement to work properly, the college needs to have a standby vehicle to assist when
such a situation arises. In addition, in order to reduce the volume of waste food, an arrangement
will be made with people/institutions that are in piggery business to come and collect waste food
to feed their stock. This alternative was considered to be favourable for the disposal of waste food.

24
3.5.2 Waste paper
The teaching and learning activities at the college are likely going to generate waste paper that will
need to be disposed of. There are a number of disposal alternatives that were analyzed and these
include:

3.5.2.1 Use of rubbish pits

This alternative was not favored because waste paper could easily be blown off by wind from the
rubbish pit and litter the college campus. An advantage to this alternative include low cost in terms
of operation because there will be no charges related to transportation and handling of the waste.

3.5.2.2 Recycling of wastepaper

The college will either embark on waste recycling project or arrange with paper waste recycling
companies to come to collect paper waste periodically. It was envisaged that this initiative will not
only benefit the college but also the whole of Lilongwe City because the volume of waste paper
will be reduced. As such this was the favored option in the management of paper waste.

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CHAPTER 4 BIOPHYSICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT
A baseline study of the existing environment has been carried out on the physical, biological and
socio-economic features in the project area. The study provides a measure of the existing state of
the environment against which future changes imposed by the construction of the hostels could be
measured and monitored. The physical and biological baseline factors considered include climate,
air quality, topography, drainage, vegetation, fauna, geology and soils, existing road traffic, and
socio-economic factors. The sections which follow provide the detailed explanations of these
factors.

4.1 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

4.1.1 Topography and Geology

The project site at LUANAR has an elevation of 1200 m above the sea level. Isolated higher raised
areas in Lilongwe district are at 1500 and 1600m above sea level. These points are hills such as
Bunda and Ngala to the south. To the east, Lilongwe plain becomes increasingly isolated and
merges with Dedza hills and Dedza Scarp Zone. On the south west of the district lie the
Dzalanyama mountain ranges. Largely, various gneisses, granulites and schist and pegmatite rocks
comprise the geology of the surrounding. The topography of the project area is characterized by
relatively flat land and the rock outcrop consisting of granite.

4.1.2 Soils
The project area is surrounded by sandy clay loam soils as shown in Figure 4.1. The campus is in
T/A Chadza where sandy clay loam soil is predominant. The soils are generally deep and fertile
and suitable for farming as is the current land use. The predominant soil types are derived from
weathering of granitic rocks and alluvial processes. Moist clay soils are common along seasonal
water-logged areas.

The Lilongwe Catena is representative of the ferruginous soil pattern covering the central part of
the Lilongwe plain. Basically, dark red sandy clay or clay, possessing typical properties of
ferruginous soil dominate the district’s flat lying plain, commonly known as the Lilongwe Series.
The Lilongwe series has several members that are variable:
a) Kandiani series - yellowish red profile with a sandy clay sub layer;
b) Mwanjema series - A deep subsoil of dark brown colour;
c) Monde series-A course sandy, ferallitic soil, with the lower horizons mottled, and impeded
site drainage; and
d) The Mbabzi series- Black hydromorphic clay, subject to seasonal water logging also known
as dambo clays.

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Figure 4. 1 Map of Lilongwe showing soil types in the district

27
4.1.3 Climate
Bunda area has a tropical climate and falls into two main seasons. The wet (rain) season starts
from November and ends in April while the dry (hot) season starts from May and ends in October.
The highest amount of rain falls between December and March and the average annual rainfall is
about 900 to 1200 mm (GoM, 2012).

The mean annual temperature is about 25 degrees Celsius. The hottest months are September,
October, and November with temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 Degrees Celsius. May, June, and
July are the coldest months with temperatures ranging from 8 to 12 Degrees Celsius.

4.1.4 Water resources

The is no river within the project area. The nearest water resource is within Goman Dambo where
there is Gomani dam about 4 km from the site.

4.2 BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT

4.2.1 Vegetation
The site earmarked for the construction of the hostels is largely bare as it has lost its natural
vegetation due to intensive existing agricultural activities being practiced now as shown in Figure
4.2.

Figure 4. 2 Vegetation of the site for construction of hostels

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However, at the broader scale of the Campus, there is Bunda Forest Reserve. The forest has both
natural and exotic trees. The natural trees are dominated by Brachystegia species while the exotic
vegetation comprises maligna and blued gum as shown in Figure 4.2. However, the actual
construction site was long time ago cleared of trees, although remnant shrubs and common grass
continue sprouting. The piece of land under construction has been idle for the past years.
Information obtained during field surveys and consultations indicates that the area was previously
used for maize cultivation for over 10 years and much of the trees planted over 30 years ago were
uprooted during the cultivation of maize however the maize cultivation was no longer practiced
on the land.

Figure 4. 3 Vegetation of the Bunda Forest Reserve

4.2.2 Fauna
The project site has for a long time primarily been used for agriculture purposes, hence fauna is
scarce, except for rodents especially mice. Other wildlife forms observed at the site include moths,
birds, grasshoppers and lizards.

4.3 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

4.3.1 Socio-economic conditions

(a) Poverty
Poverty levels are featuring high in the villages around Bunda area with no access to other sources
of income apart from employment in the agriculture sector. The majority of the people in the area
are poor living in thatched and mud houses.

29
(b) Electricity
Electricity in Bunda is supplied by Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi (ESCOM). In the
recent years, supply of electricity in Bunda and Malawi. To offset the black outs, small generators
are used in different departments to supplement electricity demand. The Bunda Forest Reserve has
been one of the most important sources of energy. Villages around the campus and staff members
access wood from the forest causing a serious threat to its extinction.

(c) Economy
Agriculture, trade and charcoal production for sale are the driving force of economic activities in
the area. The farmers in the area operate at a subsistence level. Livestock and some crops are sold
at the markets at Mitundu, Nathenje and Lilongwe for cash to buy clothes, shoes, soap and other
essentials.

(d) Population
Bunda Campus hosts about 4000 out of which 3,000 are residents while the rest operate from
outside the Campus. There are about 1200 members of staff working within Bunda Campus. The
surrounding communities comprise three major adjacent villages including Mkwinda, Kamowa
and Chilowa all in Traditional Authority Chadza.

TA Chadza, where the project will be implemented is the third highly populated Traditional
Authority in the district and has a population of 143,216 (Table 4.1). The highest populated
Traditional Authority in Lilongwe district is TA Kalolo with its population at 177,087; seconded
by TA Chiseka whose population is at 148,672.

Table 4. 1 Population in the area

Population
Total Male Female
TA Chadza 143,216 68,799 74,417
TA Kalolo 177,087 86,572 90,515
TA Masula 76,666 36,942 39,724
Masambankhunda 86,580 41699 44,881
TA Chiseka 148,672 72,146 76,526
TA Mazengera 116,352 55,348 61,004
STA Chitekwele 48,184 23,035 25,149
TA Khongoni 140,536 68,498 72,038
TA Chimutu 112,118 54,873 57,245
TA Chitukula 25,482 12497 12,985
TA Mtema 52,442 25,660 26,782
TA Kalumbu 68,527 32,586 35,941
TA Njewa 49,769 24,926 24,843
TA Malili 115,931 56,519 59,412
STA Mbang’ombe 72,071 5,912 6,159
T/A Tsabango 63,076 31,302 31,774
NSO 2018

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(e) Education facilities
There are a number of education facilities that offer primary and secondary education in the area.
The primary schools include Bunda Primary School within Bunda Campus, Machenchele Primary
School near Chiseka, and Nkhombe Primary School. Secondary schools in the area include
Chiseka Community Day Secondary School (CDSS), Mitundu Secondary School, and Mitundu
Community Secondary school.

(f) Health facilities

Health services in Lilongwe district are provided at three levels i.e primary, secondary and tertiary
levels. At primary level, services are delivered through rural hospitals, health centers, health posts,
outreach clinics and village health clinics. District and Christian Health Association of Malawi
(CHAM) hospitals provide secondary level health care services to back up the activities of the
primary level while tertiary hospitals provide services similar to those at secondary level, along
with a range of specialist surgical and medical interventions. Health care resources are unevenly
and inadequately distributed. Only 46% of the population has access to formal health facility
within a 5km radius, and only 20% of the population lives within 25 km of a health facility.

Bunda Campus has a health facility that is being operated by the University in liaison with
Government. The facility is basically serving all students and staff at the campus. However,
surrounding communities also access services from this clinic. In addition, there is Mitundu
Hospital located about 8 km from Bunda Campus. Apart from that other nearest health facilities
are Mitundu and Mlare.

(g) Transportation and communication

The project area is accessible using LUANAR Bunda Campus Road. Mini-buses and bicycles are
the main mode of transport in the area. The town has Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL)
lines and mobile phone service provider’s networks such as Airtel Malawi, Telecom Networks
Malawi (TNM), Access and internet services as well as Post Offices.

4.3.2 Water supply

Source of water at Bunda campus is supplied by Central Region Water Board and the capacity is
450 m3 per day. However, the Central Region Water Board water supply is erratic and not
sufficient. To partially ensure that water is constantly available at the campus, LUANAR, Bunda
campus also abstracts underground water (150 m3 per day) for supply to the campus. For the
campus to be water sufficient, it needs a non-interrupted supply of 800 m3 per day and management
is working towards installing more pumps to abstract water from the ground and this will require
a water abstraction permit from the National Water Resources Authority. There is no piped water
in the surrounding villages. The villagers use water from unprotected wells and boreholes.

4.3.3 Farming system

(a) Land use

Crop production is the major current land use in the villages around the project area. Crops are
rain-fed. Land preparation is done by hand and the major operation is ridging before planting. A
few farmers use animal drawn power.

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Livestock production is another important component of land use system in the area. This includes
cattle and goats. The livestock act as security for the families and are mainly sold in times of
hardships and purchasing of farm inputs. They also provide meat and milk (cattle) and cattle are
also used for transportation purposes. Apart from grazing in the uncultivated lowlands, they also
graze in the rain-fed upland fields after harvest.

(b) Land tenure

All the land is under customary land rights and the people practise matrilineal system of marriage
whereby the husband stays at the wife’s place. Thus women have got total control of the land.
Ownership is therefore passed on to female children from generation to generation. The average
land holding size was indicated to be 0.5 ha.

(c) Existing agriculture

The farmers grow a number of crops in the area, which include tobacco, maize, ground nuts, soya,
beans, sweet potatoes, cassava and green vegetables. On average most farmers in the area produce
about 1000kg of maize per ha.

With the exception of leafy vegetables and sweet potatoes, all the other crops are inter-cropped
with maize as the main crop. A number of farmers use fertilisers, pesticides and improved seed
varieties mainly on maize and potatoes.

4.3.4 Cultural Environment

Records have it that there is mixing of cultures in Lilongwe as a result of co-existence of the major
tribes (Chewa, Ngoni, Senga and Yao especially the Mitundu/Bunda area). Typical Ngoni in
Malawi follows a patrimonial system of marriage in which a man pays a bride price (lobola) and
the wife belongs to the man’s household. Similarly, the Chewas practice Chitengwa. This is a
system where a man gives some kind of a token (dowry) to the wife’s uncle and settles with her in
the man’s village. Other times the Chewas predominantly practice matrilineal system where the
husband settles at wife’s village. In the case of Chitengwa, the woman returns to her village upon
death of the husband or divorce/separation, while the man returns to his village in the matrilineal
system.

The Yao follow a matrilineal system in which a man settles in a wife’s village. These systems are
now apparently mixed up. The patrilineal system now predominates with some modifications,
which include a couple settling at own place away from villages of origins of either partner. The
Chewa and the Yao have their own initiation ceremonies for both boys and girls where society
norms are passed on to the young ones. The Chewa have dambwe for boys and chinamwali for
girls whereas the Yao have Jando for boys and chiputu/msondo for girls. The Ngoni on the other
hand pass cultural norms along to children in their homes, as they grow older. Gulewamkulu dance
is the symbol of culture among the Chewa while Ingoma, a war dance, is the district cultural
symbol of the Ngoni.

Two tribal groups are predominant among the communities in the project area. These are the
Chewa and the Ngonis. Most people speak Chichewa.

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4.3.5 Religion
Over 90% of the people in Mitundu are Christians with Catholics as the majority; other major
Christian denominations include Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAP) Seventh Day
Adventist (SDA) African Church of Abraham and Jehovah’s Witnesses. There are fewer
Moslems and they are concentrated in trading centres and the tobacco estates where the Yao
people are commonly found.

4.3.6 Employment opportunities for local people

Casual labour and subsistence farming are the main sources of income for people living in the
villages around the project area. Other income sources include wages from public works income
generating activities programs. Some people work in established institutions such as LUANAR
and the secondary and primary schools in the project area and from wages from piece work at
Mitundu Trading Centre. Wages for public works programs has been K500.00 per day per person,
and period of work ranged depending on the works. This acts as a cushion to rural population due
to economic hardship facing the country. Cash transfer is another programme.

4.3.7 Economic activities in the area

Harvesting rain-fed agriculture crops is the main occupation in the people living in the villages
around the project area, with groundnuts, tobacco, soya, cassava, Bambara, sweet potato and beans
being the primary cash crops. Maize, velvet beans, cassava, sweet potato and pumpkin are
prominent food crops. During the dry season, secondary activities are pursued, such as brick-
making, charcoal making and firewood selling.

The economic development of the area and the livelihood of the greater population depend on
natural resources. For the area to experience economic growth and deal with issues of poverty
there is need to ensure that the environment is conserved and used sustainably. The recent change
in rainfall patterns that occur in the district which solely depends on agriculture and resulted in
low yields and unreliable livelihood sources gives even more reason for Lilongwe District to give
more attention to conserving the environment for economic growth and assurance of people’s well-
being.

4.3.8 Commercial activities of the area

Mitundu is the main trading centers in near the project area. Commercial facilities found at the
trading center include produce markets retail and wholesale shops, telephone bureaus, rest houses,
motorcycle and motor vehicle garages, restaurants, bars and bottle stores, welding shops and
salons.

The project area is close to Mitundu trading center where micro, small and medium enterprises are
prominent as the commercial and industrial business. Retail trading of several merchandises such
as groceries, clothes, food items, and agricultural produce are major business occupations at the
trading center. Most people are engaged in petty trading because of limited working capital as well
as business and credit management skills.

Some of the organizations that are working around the project area include DAPP, NASFAM,
Export Trading Company, Peoples trading center, Farmers world, Kulima Gold, Chipiku, Donnas
Eggs, Lafarge, Smallholder Farmer Fertilizer Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) and other
33
private agro-dealers. These companies contribute to the livelihood of the people within the
communities as some of them are employed by these institutions.

34
CHAPTER 5 REVIEW OF RELEVANT POLICIES, LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL
FRAMEWORK

5.1 Malawi’s environmental regulatory framework

Malawi has over the years, developed a number of policies and legislation to guide
environmentally and socially sustainable development in various sectors of the economy through
mainstreaming of environmental and social issues in project planning and implementation. These
include the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi of 1995; different policies and pieces of
legislation. Besides, Malawi also uses different international procedures, policies and guidelines
where national laws, policies, procedures, guidelines and legislation are falling short to guide
sustainable development.

This chapter therefore outlines the policies, legislative and administrative frameworks relevant to
guide implementation of activities of the project.

5.2 Policy framework

Over the years Malawi has developed various national policies to guide implementation of
different project activities in the country. Some of the policies relevant to the activities of the
project are discussed below.

5.2.1 National Environmental Policy, 2004

The National Environmental Policy of 2004 is based on the principles of National Environmental
Action Plan, and provides a policy framework on environmental planning in development
programmes including undertaking environmental and social impact assessments for different
development projects. The overall goal of the Policy is to promote sustainable social and economic
development through sound management of the environment in Malawi. The policy among other
things seeks to:
a) promote efficient utilisation and management of the country‘s natural resources and
encourage, where appropriate, long-term self-sufficiency in food, fuel wood and other
energy requirements; and
b) facilitate restoration, maintenance and enhancement of ecosystems and ecological
processes essential for functioning of the biosphere and prudent use of renewable
resources;

Activities for the project shall among other things involve clearing, excavation and levelling of
soil, extraction of gravel and quarry, transportation of materials, compaction of sub-base material
and construction of hostels and different infrastructure at Bunda campus, which will have the
potential to cause occupational harm and pollution of the environment and water bodies. The
implication of the policy is that the project has to put in place measures to reduce adverse impacts
arising from the activities of the project and that implementation of the activities of this project
has to take sustainability issues on board.

The Policy has implications on the project as the project will cause negative impacts in the project
area and beyond. Some of the impacts will include increased generation of waste; injuries due to
construction works; increased risk of dust emission and air pollution; risk of social conflict;
increased risk of illicit behavior and crime; impacts on community dynamics; increased risk of

35
communicable diseases; increased cases of accidents; possible disruption of public service
utilities; increased demand for sanitary facilities; and increased disruption of activities at
LUANAR, Bunda campus. As a requirement under the environmental policy, the developer will
therefore prepare an environmental and social management plan, which will be implemented
during project construction and operation phases.

In line with this policy and through this ESIA, the project developer will integrate the
environmental and social concerns into their planning processes and will promote public
participation, enhance public awareness, and cooperation with other institutions.

5.2.2 National Land Policy, 2002

This is the principal policy that guides land management and administration issues in Malawi. The
policy introduces major reforms intended in land planning, use, management and tenure. It
provides clear definition of land ownership categories (Section 4), and addresses the issue of
compensation payment for land (Section 4.6).

The policy also has provisions for environmental management covering issues related to both
urban and rural management of solid and liquid waste, protection of sensitive areas, agricultural
resource conservation and land use, community forests and woodland management, over-
dependence on fuel wood, forest programs, co-ordination of multiple land use, water resources
and wetlands, lakeshore environmental management and mining and minerals. Of particular
importance is Section 9.8.1 (c) which states that development activities in fragile ecosystems such
as wetlands, game reserves, forest reserves and critical habitants will only be permitted after the
appropriate authority has conducted an environmental and social impact assessment.

The project will not cause loss of land and property by the people in the project area as the project
will be implemented on land that already belongs to LUANAR, Bunda campus. Issues of
resettlement and compensation will therefore not arise as a result of the project. Furthermore, the
ESMP in the ESIA report will cover all issues to do with waste management, deforestation,
conservation and land use and protection of sensitive areas.

5.2.3 National Construction Industry Policy, 2015

Construction of the hostels at LUANAR will trigger the Construction Industry Policy in that the
project developer must ensure that the contractor protects the environment, in line with national
and international policies for environmental sustainability. Areas of focus include occupational
health and welfare; gender; and HIV and AIDS.

5.2.4 National Water Policy, 2005

The policy aims at providing comprehensive and integrated water resources conservation and
management. It addresses all aspects of water including resource management, development, and
service delivery conforming to the current global and regional trends and the requirements as reflected
under the Sustainable Development Goals. The overall policy goal is sustainable management and
utilization of water resources in order to:
a) Provide water of acceptable quality and of sufficient quantities;
b) Ensure availability of efficient and effective water and sanitation services that satisfy the basic
requirements of every Malawian; and

36
 c) Enhance the country’s natural ecosystems.

One of the objectives of the policy is promotion of public and private sector participation in water
resources management, development, supply and conservation. The principles that will guide the
implementation of the project in relation to the policy include the following:
a) Management, protection and conservation of water resources to be undertaken in an
integrated manner;
b) All people to have access to potable water and sanitation services in order to reduce
incidences of water related diseases;
c) Water resources shall be optimally, equitable and rationally allocated and regulated to
ensure sustainable optimal economic returns and social enhancement;
d) Water resources management will be based on the concept of decentralization and will
promote local participation with the catchment as the unit of water management;
e) Promote the empowerment of user communities to own, manage and invest in water
resources development; and
f) Pollution of water resources shall follow the “Polluter Pays” principle in order to ensure
water user responsibility.

Activities of the project have the potential to negatively affect the water resources. It is therefore
recommended that implementation of the activities of the project should minimize pollution of the
public water thereby promoting public health and hygiene and environmental sustainability.

5.2.5 Malawi National HIV and AIDS Policy, 2003

The Malawi National HIV and AIDS policy was adopted by government in 2003. Its main goal is
to prevent HIV and AIDS infections, to reduce vulnerability to HIV and AIDS, to improve the
provision of treatment, care and support for people living with HIV and AIDS and to mitigate the
socio-economic impact of HIV and AIDS on individuals, families, communities and the nation.

Chapter 7 of the Policy observes that in workplaces unfair discrimination against people living
with HIV and AIDS has been perpetuated through practices such as pre-employment HIV and
AIDS testing, dismissal for being HIV and AIDS positive and the denial of employee benefits if
known to be infected. HIV and AIDS affects every workplace. Absenteeism and death impact on
productivity, employee benefits, production costs and workplace morale.

The project will have the potential to cause labour influx in the project area which will likely cause
spread of HIV and AIDS. As a way of implementing the Malawi National HIV and AIDS policy,
the proponent will implement an HIV and AIDS workplace policy and prevention, treatment, care,
support and impact mitigation programmes as one way of effectively reducing and managing the
impact of HIV and AIDS in the work place.

5.2.6 Guidelines of Environmental Impact Assessment in Malawi, 1997

The Guidelines are a key tool in providing guidance on how the ESIA study should be carried out
in Malawi. It includes a list of all prescribed projects for which ESIAs are required. The Guidelines
provide further advice on the procedures to be followed in getting approval for the various projects.
In particular, the developer will submit the report to the Environmental Affairs Department where
the Technical Committee on the Environment will provide the necessary input to allow the

37
National Committee on Environmental to make an informed decision on the submitted ESIA
Reports.

5.2.7 National Land Resources Management Policy and Strategy, 2000

Malawi Government developed the National Land Resources Policy and Strategy to promote
efficient diversified and sustainable use of land based resources both for agriculture and other
sustainable socio-economic developments. This was because for a long time different development
processes in the country have been accompanied by unprecedented infrastructure development. A
considerable proportion of these development projects have been carried out without special
coordination within the context of the policy thereby resulting into land use conflicts and
unsustainable land use management practices.

The project at hand is a development project and will involve construction of new hostels for
students at LUANAR, Bunda campus to increase students’ enrolment and improve students’
academic performance hence all principles of the policy will be followed.

5.2.8 Gender Policy, 2008

Malawi Government appreciates that gender inequality is a significant constraint to socio-
economic growth and poverty reduction. The policy specifies that Government has a responsibility
to integrate gender into the development, design, implementation, and monitoring of different
development programs.

According to this Policy, Government of Malawi is expected to implement a constitutional

obligation of building a society where men, women, boys and girls equally and effectively
participate in and benefit from different development processes. The project will ensure that
wherever there are any employment opportunities, women will be given equal chances as men for
employment. Deliberate effort will also be made to ensure that among the employees, 30% should
be women.

5.3 Regulatory Framework

The section provides a review of key national legislation pertinent to development and operation
of the project. The project proponent intends to develop and operate the project in line with all
relevant national laws. Details of the legal frameworks considered are presented in the sections
that follow.

5.3.1 The Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, 1995

The Constitution of the Republic of Malawi (1995) is the supreme law of the land. It contains,
among other things, principles of national policy in Section 13. The section sets out a broad
framework for sustainable environmental and social management at various levels in Malawi.
Among other issues, the section provides for environmental and social issues under Principles of
National Policy. Section 13 (d) of the Constitution provides that the state shall actively promote
the welfare and development of the people of Malawi by progressively adopting and implementing
policies and legislation aimed at managing the environment responsibly in order to:-
a) Prevent the degradation of the environment;
b) Provide a health living and working environment for the people of Malawi;

38
 c) Accord full recognition to the rights of future generations by means of promoting
environmental and social protection and sustainable development of natural resources;
d) Conserve and enhance the biological diversity of Malawi; and
e) Enhance the quality of life in rural communities with the ultimate aim of attaining
sustainable development.

The Constitution further provides for a framework for the integration of environmental and social
consideration into any development programs. The implication of this provision is that
Government, its cooperating partners and the private sector have a responsibility of ensuring that
development programs and projects are undertaken in an environmentally and socially responsible
manner.

5.3.2 Environment Management Act, 1996

The Environment Management Act (1996) makes provision for the protection and management of
the environment and the conservation and sustainable utilization of natural resources. Sections 24,
25 and 26 of the EMA provide the legal framework for managing the Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) process. - Section 24 outlines activities that require an EIA before they can be
implemented. A prescribed list of Projects for which EIA is mandatory is provided in Malawi’s
Guidelines for EIA, 1997. The Project is a prescribed Project under the Environment Management
Act and therefore requires an ESIA study before it can be implemented.

Section 26 (3) of the EMA provides that “a licensing authority shall not issue any licence under
any written law with respect to a project for which an environmental and social impact assessment
is required under EMA unless the Director has certified in writing that the project has been
approved by the Minister under EMA or that an environmental and social impact assessment is not
required under EMA.” In this way, the developer for the project will have to obtain an ESIA
Certificate first before construction activities of the project are undertaken.

5.3.3 Land Act 2016

The Land Act, 2016, which repealed the Land Act of 1965, is the principal legislation dealing with
land tenure, land use and land transfer. The Commissioner of Lands is responsible for the
administration of the Act. Section 7 of the Act recognizes two categories of land namely; public
land and private land. Public land is defined as land as held in trust for the people of Malawi and
managed by Government, a local government authority and a Traditional Authority. Private land
is defined as all land which is owned, held or occupied under a freehold title, leasehold title or as
a customary estate or which is registered as private land under the Registered Land Act. The Act
recognizes that every person has a natural dependency on land and that it is therefore important
that Government provides for secure and equitable access to land as a multipurpose resource and
an economic assert by defining issues of security of tenure.

The Land Act outlines some procedures to be followed for land acquisition by individuals or
Government including issuance of formal notices to persons with existing land interests to payment
of compensation however most provisions relating to acquisition of land are in the Land
Acquisition Act as amended.

39
The project will not require any land take from the general public. As a result, issues of
compensation and resettlement will not arise.

5.3.4 The Lands Acquisition Act, 2017

The Lands Acquisition Act of 2017 has amended some provisions of the Lands Acquisition Act,
the main one being that the Amendment Act now provides for the acquisition and compensation
of land in the citation.

Section 3 of the Act read with the Amendment Act empowers the Minister responsible for lands
whenever he is of the opinion that it is desirable or expedient in the interests of Malawi, to acquire
land for public utility, either compulsorily or by agreement, and pay compensation as may be
agreed or determined under the Act.

Sections 5-7 of the Act provide for the issuing of notices upon the persons who are possessed of
an interest in the land. According to section 12 of the Amended Act when a notice to acquire land
has been issued and published, the land shall revert to the Government as public land within 2
months of the publication of the notice.

Section 9 as amended provides for the payment of compensation. It provides that where any land
is acquired by the Minister under this Act the Minister shall pay in respect thereof appropriate
compensation agreed or determined in accordance with the provisions of this Act. The Amendment
Act further provides that compensation shall be paid in one lump sum; therefore, the assumption
is that compensation shall only be monetary.

Amended provisions relating to assessment of appropriate compensation provide that an

assessment is to be done by an independent valuer appointed by the Minister, unless the parties
agree otherwise. The Amendment to the Act also provides information on the grounds on which
compensation can be calculated which include; loss of occupational rights, loss of land, costs of
professional advice and disturbances which are a natural and reasonable consequence of the
disposition of land. The Amendment has inserted substantive provisions on matters to be taken
into consideration in assessing compensation for alienated land under section 10A.

Section 11 of the Act deals with the effect of payment of the compensation and states that a person
who has been paid compensation for land cannot make further claims in respect of the land.
However, this does not prevent any subsequent proceedings against the person to whom the same
was awarded by any person claiming to have a better right to the compensation or the right to a
share thereof.

However, the project will not have any implications on the project considering that the project will
not require any land take from the general public. As a result, issues of compensation and
resettlement will not arise.

5.3.5 Customary Land Act 2016

The Customary Land Act No.19 of 2016 provides for the management and administration of
traditional land. Customary land consists of land within the boundaries of a Traditional Land
Management Area other than Government or reserved land, land designated as customary land

40
under the Land Act of 2016, land, the boundaries of which have been demarcated as traditional
land under any written law or administrative procedure in force at the time before the Act came
into operation and land the boundaries of which have been agreed upon by a land committee
claiming jurisdiction over that land.

A certificate is issued by the Commissioner of Lands for each Traditional Land Management Area
in respect of which the boundaries to the area have been demarcated or agreed. Such certificate,
issued in the name of the Traditional Authority, confers upon the land committees in that area the
function of management of customary land and affirms the occupation and use of customary land
by the persons in the Traditional Land Management Area in accordance with the customary law
applicable to land in that area.

The Act established customary land committee in section 5 of the Act. These committees are
supposed to be at Group Village Headman level and their main function is to manage customary
land within its area of jurisdiction, on trust, as if the committee were a trustee of the land and the
villagers were beneficiaries. The Act provides that the customary land committee may not allocate
land or grant a customary estate without the prior approval of the relevant Traditional Authority.

The project will not require any land take from the general public. As a result, issues of
compensation and resettlement will not arise.

5.3.6 Local Government Act, 1998

The Act, as read with Section 146 of the Constitution, provides the mandate to the local assemblies
in planning, administration, and implementation of various development programs in their areas.
It further provides for environmental functions, which include urban management, local planning,
local afforestation programs, control of soil erosion, and appropriate management of solid and
liquid waste. Lilongwe District Council where the project will be implemented was consulted with
respect to their mandate at the district level and how the project would comply with their planning
requirements.

5.3.7 Public Health Act, 1982

The Public Health Act requires developers to provide sanitary and health facilities in work places
to promote health and well-being of the primary occupants and to avoid harmful effects of waste
on public health.

The Environmental and Social Management Plan recognizes the importance of practicing
improved hygiene and use of improved sanitary facilities for sustainable livelihood. The developer
will comply with the requirements of this Act by constructing sanitary facilities and waste disposal
facilities and will ensure good hygiene practices, some of which have been mainstreamed in this
Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).

5.3.8 Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Act, 1997

The Act regulates work conditions with respect to safety, health, and welfare of workers. During
construction phase, there will be a number of workers working on the site using different types of
machinery and facilities.

41
Construction activities in general pose a number of occupational health and safety risks and
probable risk to workers and the surrounding communities at large. Furthermore, increased
movement of vehicles and equipment during construction can pose a risk of accidents to the
surrounding communities as well as the construction workers.

The Act therefore places a duty of care on contractors throughout the project construction phase
and similarly, the workers have a duty to take reasonable care for their own safety and health. The
duty of ensuring safety, health, and welfare of workers is on the employer. However, every
employee is required to take reasonable care for his/her own safety and that of other workers. The
key provisions relevant to the project under discussion are as follows:
i) Section 13(1) places a duty on every employer to ensure the safety, health and welfare of
all his employees at work;
ii) Section 51(1) mandates that manufacturers, importers and suppliers of hazardous
substances used at workplaces shall provide sufficient information on such substances as
well as the precautions to be taken; and
iii) Section 81 (7) stipulates that where the use of hazardous chemicals is likely to penetrate
the skin and cause rash, skin contact with hazardous chemical shall be avoided and
personal hygiene and the type of clothing worn shall be such as to enable rapid removal
of any chemical from skin contact.

Considering that the construction phase of the project will require a lot of labour force and use of
heavy machinery, the Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Act is important in safeguarding
the health and welfare of all workers. The contractor will ensure that there is adequate protection
for the workers who will be on site as required by the Act.

Section 66 of the Act defines the procedure to be followed in case of the occurrence of an accident
which either can cause loss of life or disables a person from carrying out the normal duties at which
he is employed. Furthermore, it stipulates measures that relate to work in confined spaces (section
55), matters relating to bulk storage of dangerous materials, matters dealing with noise (section
63) and general matters relating to health and safety.

This Environmental and Social Impact Assessment study has examined all aspects of occupational
health, safety and welfare of all the persons involved in the project to determine compliance of the
outlined sections of the law. In this effect the proponent will allow the Ministry of Labour to assess
the facility and make determinations of the adequacy of the mitigation measures towards
occupational safety of the workers.

5.3.9 Water Resources Act, 2013

Section 39 (1) of the Water Resources Act prohibits the abstraction and use of water unless
authorized to do so under this Act. The Developer will therefore, in compliance with provisions of
this Act, apply for water abstraction from under the ground for use at the project site since the site
is not connected to water provided by the Central Region Water Board. Further, Part VIII, Section
89 (1) of the Act prohibits any person who owns, controls, occupies or uses land on which an
activity or process is or was performed to pollute water resources and which, unless authorized
under this Part, causes, has caused or is likely to cause pollution of a water resource, shall take all
such measures as may be necessary to prevent any such pollution from occurring, continuing or
recurring.
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The Developer will therefore apply for a water abstraction permit from the National Water
Resources Authority whose establishment is being provided for in this Act. In addition, the
Developer will ensure that activities at the station do not pollute water in the nearby streams and
rivers. Measures to minimize pollution of the water include proper disposal of both domestic,
chemicals from laboratories and effluent from all the stations activities.

5.3.10 Gender Equality Act, 2013

The Act was developed to ensure that men, women, boys and girls equally and effectively
participate in and benefit from different development processes. The Act was put in place to assist
to:
a) promote gender equality, equal integration, influence, empowerment, dignity and
opportunities for men and women in all functions of society;
b) prohibit and provide redress for sex discrimination, harmful practices and sexual
harassment; and
c) provide for public awareness on promotion of gender equality.

Considering that the project will employ a number of people both during construction and
operation phases of the project, both the Developer and the Contractor will be expected to apply
provisions of this Act. The project will ensure that wherever there are any employment
opportunities, women will be given equal chances as men for employment.

5.3.11 National Construction Industry Act, 1996

The Act provides for the establishment of the National Construction Industry Council of Malawi
(NCIC), for the promotion and development of the construction industry, registration of persons
engaged in the construction industry in Malawi, co-ordination of training of persons engaged in
the construction industry and general matters incidental thereto. The NCIC is responsible for
regulating the construction industry in Malawi through among others: registering consultants and
construction firms, standardizing quality control, codes of practice, procurement process; and legal
contractual procedures in liaison with other organization. In accordance with the Act, the NCIC
must be involved in identifying the contractors, ensuring that a quality contract is in place,
resolving conflicts between contractor and client and ensuring that quality structures are
developed.

5.4 Institutional Framework

The Environment Management Act and the EIA Guidelines provide for the administrative
framework of the EIA process. The EIA process is managed by the Director of Environmental
Affairs. The Director of Environmental Affairs works with other line Ministries/agencies and
stakeholders.

Under section 26 of the Environment Management Act, a prescribed project cannot receive the
required authorization to proceed from the relevant licensing authority unless the Director has
issued a certificate that an EIA is not required or that he has approved the project on the basis of
an EIA report. The Director is empowered under the Act to require changes to a project in order
to reduce environmental impact and to reject a project, if, in his view, the project will cause

43
significant and irreparable injury to the environment. A person not satisfied with the decision of
the Director may appeal to the Environmental Appeals Tribunal.

The Director relies upon the advice of the Technical Committee on the Environment established
under section 16 of the Environment Management Act in order to make his determination. Through
this committee, member agencies are informed about projects being appraised; participate in
reviews of project briefs, ESIA ToRs and ESIA reports; develop project approval terms and
conditions; develop and monitor project auditing conditions; and recommends courses of action to
the Director. The Director is not bound by the advice of the Committee to arrive at any action that
may be considered necessary.

Institutional responsibilities for the co-ordination, planning, administration, management and

control of development and environmental issues are fragmented among a number of agencies,
ministries and organizations. The major institutions to be involved in this project shall include:
a) Environmental Affairs Department;
b) Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development;
c) Central Region Water Board;
d) Ministry of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development;
e) Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining;
f) Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development;
g) Ministry of Local Government and District Administration; and
h) Lilongwe District Council.

During the preparation of the Environmental and Social Management Plan, these major institutions
and/or their documents were consulted for their technical advice, expert knowledge and concerns
or future programs as related to the project.

5.5 Summary of approvals and licences which the proponent has to obtain
There are a number of statutory and regulatory approvals or licences that developer need to get in
the courses of project implementation to ensure that the project is in line with sound environmental
management practices and is in compliance with other relevant pieces of legislations. These have
been summaries in Table 5.1 below:

Table 5. 1 List of statutory approvals and licences required

List of statutory approvals Legal and regulatory Responsible institution for

or licences to be obtained framework processing approval or
licence

Environmental Impact Environment Management Environmental Affairs

Assessment Certificate Act (1996) Department
Water Abstraction Permit Water Resources Act (2013) National Water Resources
Authority

Planning Permission The Physical Planning Act Regional Physical Planning

No 17 of 2016 Office (Centre)

44
 Lilongwe District Councils
Approval to dispose of Local Government Act
waste (1998)
Environmental Affairs
Waste Management Licence Department
Registration Certificate for Energy Regulatory Act No. MERA
generation of electricity on a 20 (2004)
heavy duty generator
Effluent discharge Permit. Water Resources Act (CAP Water Resources Authority
Regulate the quality of waste 72.03)
water, means and of
discharge into surface
drainage system
Work Place Registration Occupational Health, Safety Ministry of Labour, Youth and
Certificate. To guide on and Welfare Act (Cap 55:01) Manpower Development
procedures on workers’
environmental health, safety
during project
implementation and
operations.
Consent to discharge effluent Water Resources Act (2013) Water Resources Authority
into public water
Consent to supply portable Water Works Act (1995) Central Region Water Board
water

45
CHAPTER 6 IMPACT IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT

6.1 Identification of potential impacts

Construction and operation of the hostels at LUANAR, Bunda Campus is expected to generate a
range of impacts in the project impact area. The anticipated impacts will be on a range of
biophysical and socio-economic aspects of the environment. Some of the impacts are expected to
be positive while others may be negative. The main purpose of this chapter is to identify the
potential environmental impacts associated with the project from planning and design,
construction, demobilization and operation and maintenance phases; assess their extent and
significance; and propose mitigation and enhancement measures to manage the impacts. The
positive measures if properly enhanced will contribute towards social and economic development
of the area and Malawi as a whole. The negative impacts will have to be managed to prevent
environmental degradation of both the social and physical environment in the project area.
Specifically, the chapter is aimed at the following:
a) Predict the potential environmental and social impacts arising from implementation of the
project;
b) Assess the possible extent /severity of the predicted impacts (both positive and negative);
c) Assess the significance of the predicted impacts; and
d) Recommend measures for managing the impacts.

6.1.1 Methodology of impact identification

Impact identification was done by analyzing the project activities and determining their influence
on the baseline environmental and social characteristics of the project area. The environmental
characteristics of the project include biophysical (topography, soils, climate, rainfall, water
resources, flora and fauna) and social characteristics (demography, settlement, land administration
and tenure, economic activities, infrastructures and services, water supply and sanitation, healthy
and HIV and AIDS). Public consultation complemented the field investigations and literature
review. Identification of potential impacts and physical assessment of the following environmental
components likely to be impacted was also conducted:
a) physical /chemical;
b) biological /ecological;
c) social /cultural; and
d) economic /operational.

Based on the project activities, the approach followed included:

a) Analysis of topographical maps, in order to identify the main environmental and social
components of topography, land under cultivation, existing industrial establishments,
infrastructure and water resources;
b) Site investigations, focusing particularly on the areas of project influence especially the
neighbouring designated institutions to identify critical environmental and social elements
to be affected including soils, physical developments, social infrastructure, water and
sanitation, health, flora and fauna, soils and local economy;
c) Screening of the anticipated potential and significant impacts of the project, in accordance
with the project stages of planning and design, construction, operation and maintenance
and decommissioning; and

46
 d) Assessment of environmental impacts in order to describe the positive and negative
impacts, both direct and indirect as identified at each stage of the project cycle.

The methodology adopted for impact identification mainly considered the environmental impacts
at various phases of the project and the activities to be undertaken at each phase. The following
phases were considered:

a) Planning Phase – Activities during planning and design phase include land surveying;
preparation of a master plan; preparation of detailed lay out plans; preparation of building
designs, tender process, obtaining approvals under the Town and Country Planning Act
and the Bye-Laws and obtaining all the approvals necessary for the construction and
operation of the students’ hostels. It is expected that the environmental management
measures, which will be proposed for the project will be incorporated into the engineering
design of the project.

b) Construction Phase – For this phase, the main activities are land clearing; landscaping;
grading; excavation; compacting; trenching; construction of service infrastructure such as
access roads, construction of a workers’ camp which will provide hostels to the workers,
storage facilities and an office facility; backfilling with compaction consolidation; levelling
and earth marking; transportation of building materials; and construction of the students
hostels infrastructures and other related buildings. Other infrastructure such as drainages
and utility reticulation shall also be constructed.

c) Demobilization Phase - The term demobilization is used to describe the range of actions
necessary to remove or make safe components of a project, and to restore the area occupied
by the project to other beneficial uses once construction activities are over.
Decommissioning of the students’ hostels is not included in this ESIA at this stage.
However, a Decommissioning Plan is to be prepared two years prior to decommissioning
the students’ hostels should that need arise. The main activities to be undertaken during
demobilization phase are:
i) Demobilization of Contractors workforce;
ii) Revegetating areas that were cleared by the Contractor around the project impact
area;
iii) Removal of construction waste from project site; and
iv) Rehabilitation of borrow pits created during construction of access roads and
project buildings and other associated infrastructure.

d) Operation Phase – During operation phase, the structures will be occupied and used for
hostels for undergraduate and postgraduate students. The impacts were identified by
considering project activities including inputs and outputs in the various project phases
outlined above and how these would affect various components of the environment. The
steps undertaken were:

a) Assessment of baseline conditions

The purpose of assessing baseline conditions was to understand the existing situation as
this is the basis for determining changes that may occur as a result of the project.

47
 b) Assessment of project inputs associated with the project
Project inputs were examined to determine the potential changes and impacts that would
be created through the application of project inputs.

c) Assessment of project activities that will be undertaken

Project activities were examined to identify the impacts that the activities would bring on
the environment.

d) Assessment of project outputs associated with the project

Project outputs were examined to determine the potential changes and impacts that would
happen as a result of the outputs.

e) Determination of environmental impacts

Based on the above steps, the environmental impacts of the project were identified.

6.2 Impact Evaluation and Scoring Matrix

After identifying the positive and negative environmental impacts the project will have on the
environment, further analysis was conducted to determine the extent and significance of the
impacts. The aspects that were considered were magnitude, significance, probability of occurrence
and duration of impacts which have been properly explained.

6.2.1 Magnitude
Magnitude is a measure of the general degree, extensiveness, or scale of impacts. The magnitude
was scored at four levels i.e. household level, local level, regional level and national level.

6.2.2 Significance
This is a measure of the importance of a particular action on the environmental factor in the specific
instance under consideration. This was scored using values ranging from +3 to - 3 with a score of
1 representing a low/minimal impact, 2 moderate impact and 3 representing a high impact.
Negative impacts were assigned a minus (-) sign and positive impacts are given a plus (+) sign.

6.2.3 Probability of occurrence

Provides an estimate of the probability of an impact occurring before mitigation is applied. The
impacts were considered as:
a) Possible (impact may occur but it is not probable);
b) Probable (the impact is very likely to occur); and
c) Definite (impact is unavoidable).

6.2.4 Duration
Refers to the period of time over which an impact may occur, from once-off to continuous for the
life of the project. Duration of impacts was considered as 1 for a low/ minimal impact and the
score of 5 for a high impact. Each impact is given a score from 1 to 5 against each of the four
attributes. The scores for each impact are added to give a total score for the four attributes,
indicating the overall severity of the impact. A high score (5) represents a high impact and a low
score (1) represents a low impact. Negative impacts are assigned a minus sign and positive impacts
48
are given a plus sign. Table 6.1 shows the scoring scale used for evaluation of the impacts. The
four rows allow evaluation of impacts in terms of the magnitude, significance, probability and
duration. The columns outline the scoring scale; with a score of 1 for a low/ minimal impact and
the score of 5 for a high impact. Each impact is given a score from 1 to 5 against each of the four
attributes. The scores for each impact are added to give a total score for the four attributes,
indicating the overall severity of the impact. A high score (5) represents a high impact and a low
score (1) represents a low impact. Negative impacts are assigned a minus sign and positive impacts
are given a plus sign. For purposes of this analysis an impact matrix was prepared and is provided
in Table 6.1.

Table 6. 1 Impact scoring matrix with significant levels

Impact Spatial Significance Probability Duration Total

extent of of the of of the Score
the impact occurrence impact
impacts of the
impact
IMPACTS DURING PLANNING AND DESIGN

POSITIVE IMPACTS
1 Creation of employment 1 1 3 1 6
IMPACTS DURING CONSTRUCTION
POSITIVE IMPACTS
1 Creation of employment 5 5 5 3 18
2 Creation of a market for 3 4 5 2 14
local construction
materials
3 Promotion of small scale 3 3 3 2 11
businesses
NEGATIVE IMPACTS
1 Air Pollution -3 -3 -3 -2 -11
2 Noise -1 -2 -2 -3 -8
3 Soil erosion -2 -3 -3 -3 -11
4 Soil contamination -1 -2 -2 -3 -8
5 Increase in accident -1 -3 -2 -3 -9
incidences
6 Increase in the spread of -1 -4 -5 -3 -14
HIV/AIDS and other
sexually transmitted
diseases
7 Increase in Criminal -1 -3 -3 -3 -10
Acts
8 Poor waste management -1 -3 -3 -2 -9
9 Poor sanitation -2 -3 -4 -2 -11

49
Impact Spatial Significance Probability Duration Total
extent of of the of of the Score
the impact occurrence impact
impacts of the
impact
10 Land and river bank -2 -3 -4 -5 -14
degradation
IMPACTS DURING DEMOBILIZATION
POSITIVE IMPACTS
1 Reduced noise levels 1 2 2 3 8

NEGATIVE IMPACTS
1 Loss of employment 5 5 5 3 18
2 Poor waste management 1 3 3 2 9
3 Loss of business 3 4 5 2 14
opportunities
IMPACTS DURING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

POSITIVE IMPACT
1 Provision of modern and 5 5 5 4 19
adequate and affordable
student hostels facilities
at LUANAR Bunda
Campus
2 Increase in performance 5 5 5 5 20
of students academically
as most students will
leave close to the campus
and easily access
college facilities
3 Improvement of the 4 4 5 3 16
infrastructure
4 Improve security in the 5 4 4 3 16
area
5 Creation of employment 5 4 5 3 17
6 Increase in economic 3 3 3 3 12
activities in the project
area
7 Increase in government 4 5 4 5 18
revenue through taxes

NEGATIVE IMPACTS
1 Increase in the spread of -1 -4 -5 -3 -14
HIV/AIDS and other
sexually transmitted
diseases

50
 Impact Spatial Significance Probability Duration Total
extent of of the of of the Score
the impact occurrence impact
impacts of the
impact
2 Increase in Criminal -1 -3 -3 -3 -10
Acts
3 Poor waste management -1 -3 -3 -2 -9
4 Poor sanitation -2 -3 -4 -2 -11

Negative impacts with a high total score as presented in Table 6.2 are considered severe and should
be accorded serious attention by the developer.

6.3 Description of environmental impacts and their management measures

6.3.1 Impacts from Design and Planning Phase

The planning and design phase will involve surveying, preparation of maps, detailed layout plans
and building plans.

Positive Impacts

a) Creation of Employment:
The planning and design phase provided employment to consultants for the preparation of location
plan, detailed layout plan site plan and building plans for students’ hostels and ancillary buildings.
Another team was engaged to carry out an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment.

Enhancement Measures
The project developer employed local consultants who carried out some of the works during the
planning and design phase.

6.3.2 Impacts from Construction Phase

Activities that will be carried out during this phase will include, land clearing, platform
preparations, digging foundations, construction of buildings, and drainage works. There will also
be lots of construction vehicles that will be bringing construction materials on the site.

Positive Impacts

a) Creation of Employment
Construction activities for the students’ hostels and ancillary structures will include: land clearing
and levelling using excavators and graders, construction of hostels, car park, septic tanks and
drainage systems. A total of 250 people will be employed during this phase.
Enhancement Measures:
i) Employing more people as much as possible from communities surrounding the project
area; and

51
 ii) Giving women equal employment opportunities as men.

b) Increase in market for local construction materials

The construction of the students’ hostels and ancillary facilities will entail the purchase of
construction related materials such as cement, sand, quarry, timber iron sheets. This will create an
opportunity for traders to sale their products.

Enhancement Measure:
i) Purchasing materials from as many local suppliers; and
ii) Hiring trucks to transport construction materials like sand, quarry and cement to the project
site.

c) Increase in business activities within the project area

The presence of construction workers at the project site will create an opportunity for small scale
business men and women to sale food stuffs, refreshments and to open barbershops and grocery
shops.

Enhancement Measure: Designating an area as a market close to the project site.

Negative Impacts

a) Air pollution
Dust particles will be emitted into the atmosphere through clearing of the land, levelling and
platform preparation for the construction of buildings.
Mitigation Measures
i) Applying water regularly to civil works and earth roads to suppress dust; and
ii) Controlling the speed of construction vehicles to reduce generation of dust.

b) Noise Pollution
Operation of heavy construction machineries and vehicle movements would generate a lot of noise
which could be a nuisance to workers and people staying close to the project site. Noise can create
stress and can be a hazard within the project site since it can make it difficult for workers to
communicate or hear warning signs.

Mitigation Measures
i) Fitting construction vehicles with silencers to reduce the noise;
ii) Servicing machinery so that they can be in good condition at all times; and
iii) Providing ear protection materials for the workers in noisy areas.

c) Soil erosion
The soil will be exposed once the vegetation has been cleared resulting in soil erosion. The other
sources include top soil stripping during land preparation and construction works.

Mitigation Measures
i) Carrying out construction works during the dry season from May to September;
ii) Creating drainage channels to direct storm water movement;
52
 iii) Creating stone pitching where soils have been excavated; and
iv) Clearing only those places where buildings will be constructed

d) Soil Contamination from oil and fuel spills

Construction works will involve use of heavy machines such as graders, tractors, tippers and
vehicles. Oil and fuel spills from these machines could contaminate soils within the project site.

Mitigation Measures
i) Construction vehicles should be in good condition to avoid fuel leaks; and
ii) Servicing areas for vehicles should have impermeable surfaces and be bunded to contain
the spills.

e) Increase in accident/incidences
The road that will be used by vehicles bringing construction materials is also used by other road
users. People crossing the roads may be hit by such vehicles. Workers handling heavy equipment
and machinery may get hurt.

Mitigation Measure:
i) Introducing humps on the road to help reduce the speed of the vehicles;
ii) Erecting warning signs showing that there is heavy machinery and construction vehicles
using that road for people to be alert;
iii) Providing workers with protective clothing;
iv) Following health and safety regulations;
v) Training workers in the proper use and handling of heavy equipment and machinery; and
vi) Maintaining a first aid kit at the project site.

f) Increase in the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases

The project will bring migrant workers, traders as well as local workers with more money from
the wages and sales in the project area. This can promote unacceptable unions that will contribute
to the increase in the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases in the project
area.

Mitigation Measures
i) Sensitizing local people and workers on the dangers of unacceptable unions;
ii) Encouraging girls to go to school to avoid early marriages;
iii) Distributing condoms to both men and women working at the site;
iv) Providing women with loans for small scale businesses so that they can be self-sufficient;
and
v) Develop an HIV/AIDS workplace policy.

g) Increase in criminal Acts

The influx of people to the project area may attract people with bad intentions who can create
havoc within the project surrounding areas. There may also be conflicts between the migrant
workers and the locals that may culminate into violent acts.

53
Mitigation Measures
i) Employ people from the surrounding areas to reduce number of migrant workers;
ii) Sensitizing the community members on the ownership of the project;
iii) Introduce community policing in conjunction with Mitundu Police station; and

h) Poor waste management

Construction rubble, scrap metal, used oils and domestic wastes will be produced and accumulate
within the project site.

Mitigation Measures:
i) Provision of dust bins or rubbish pits for the wastes produced;
ii) Segregation of wastes by providing different bins for each type of waste;
iii) Identification of a dumping site within the project area for various types of wastes; and
iv) Disposing of wastes at Area 38 designated dumpsite regularly.

i) Poor sanitation
Construction workers may be relieving themselves in the bushes or nearby gardens which is very
unhygienic if not provided with proper sanitary facilities. They may also be drinking from poor
water sources in the absence of potable water. This may contribute to the spread of communicable
diseases like cholera and bilharzia in the project area.

Mitigation Measures:
i) Provision of pit latrines for workers and drivers on the construction site;
ii) Provision of potable water within the site; and
iii) Sensitization of workers on the importance of good hygiene practices.

j) Land and river bank degradation

The prospect of a ready market for sand and quarry stone may promote unauthorized quarry and
sand mining by local artisans. This may contribute to the degradation of land and river banks
being the source of these resources.

Mitigation Measures:
i) Buying sand and quarry from registered local artisans;
ii) Carrying out sensitization of local artisans on good mining practices;
iii) Designating places for sand and quarry mining; and
iv) Assisting communities with afforestation programs for river banks.

k) Traffic Density

The project will come along with increased (vehicle) traffic along the connecting routes especially
during construction phase.

Mitigation measures
i) Notify the motorists about the project once implementation is started. It is important that
warning/ informative signs (bill boards) be erected at the site. The signs should be
positioned in a way to be easily viewed by the public and mostly motorists.

54
 ii) The traffic along the connecting roads should be controlled especially during construction
phase and mostly when trucks are turning into the site, say when delivering of materials.
iii) Employ traffic marshals to control traffic along the adjacent roads and in and out of the
site.
iv) Rehabilitate the access road leading to the property. In case the major road is damaged by
the heavy trucks and machinery, the proponent should embark on repair after completion
of construction phase.

6.3.3 Impacts during demobilization

There will be need to demolish the temporary structures that will be used for storage, hostels by
skeleton staff and pit latrines for the construction workers. The construction rubble and
construction wastes will have to be cleared from the site in readiness for the operation phase of the
project.

Positive impacts

a) Reduced noise levels

The heavy machinery and the 250 construction workers will leave the site thereby reducing the
amount of noise from the project site.

Enhancement measures: The contractor and the developer should ensure that all working and
damaged construction equipment is removed from the site

Negative impacts

a) Loss of employment
All construction workers will be laid off once construction works are completed. This will mean
loss of income and source of livelihood for 250 workers.

Mitigation measures:
i) The construction workers should be made aware of the duration for the construction phase
so that they can make other plans in time;
ii) Educating the labour force on the need to save part of their income; and
iii) Paying severance benefits to all laid off workers according to the provisions of the labour
laws.

b) Poor management of Construction wastes

The construction rubble and wastes that will be generated from demolition of construction works
and temporary houses for skeleton construction workers will have to be removed from the site.
Rehabilitation works will be carried out on the site upon completing the construction works.

Mitigation measures
i) Disposing of construction wastes at the dumping sites that will be identified in liaison with
Lilongwe District Council during construction phase;
ii) Scrap metals will have to be sold or disposed of at a dump site that will be designated
specifically for such wastes; and

55
 iii) Trees and grass should be planted in bare areas of the project site as a way of restoring the
area.

c) Loss of business opportunities

Local traders selling construction materials will lose their source of income and livelihood. The
small scale business men and women selling foodstuffs, and fruits to construction workers will
also lose their source of income.

Mitigation measures:
i) Informing local traders of the project duration in time; and
ii) Paying for all materials that were obtained on loan in time.

6.3.4 Impacts from Operation Phase

The main activity during the operation phase will be the hostels of students at the college.

Positive Impacts

a) Provision of modern and adequate and affordable student hostels facilities at LUANAR
Bunda Campus
The students’ hostels will provide modern, adequate and affordable hostels facilities to the enrolled
students which will also be near the learning facilities.

Enhancement Measure:
i) Sourcing funds for maintenance so that the hostels should be in good condition and be in
operation for a long time; and
ii) Provide affordable rates for accommodation to the students.

b) Increase in performance of students academically as most students will leave close to the
campus and easily access college facilities
Due to the close proximity of the students hostels to the learning facilities, there will be an increase
in performance of students academically. The travel time will be used for learning and reading

Enhancement Measure: Sourcing funds for maintenance so that the hostels should be in good
condition and be in operation for a long time

c) Improve security in the area

Security will improve in the area due to the coming in of the hostels as the site was idle and
outgrown with vegetation.

Enhancement Measures
i. The project site will be enclosed using suitable walls to beef-up security and to control
movement within the site.
ii. Guard houses will be in place at the gate. Security guards should always monitor the
gate of the facility to keep away the intruders and to control movement within the site.

56
 iii. The guards stationed at the gates should document movements in and out of the
site/property.

d) Creation of employment
A total of 50 people will be employed in various sections during the operation of the students’
hostels. There will be employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled labourers during
the operation phase.

Enhancement Measures:
i) Employing more people from the communities surrounding the project area and other areas
within the country for both unskilled and skilled jobs; and
ii) Giving equal employment opportunities for both men and women.

e) Improved access to social services by the local community

The operation phase of the project will facilitate introduction of electricity, potable water and
access to an improved road network. The community can have access to these facilities and
improve their living standards.

Enhancement measures: Providing extra social services that can be accessed by the communities.

f) Increase in economic activities

The operation of the students’ hostels will provide local traders to sale food stuffs like fruits,
sugarcane, groundnuts, fresh, cooked and roasted maize, and vegetables to students and workers.
There will also be an opportunity to supply food stuffs for student meals.

Enhancement Measures
i) Designating a place where the local traders will be selling their merchandise ; and
ii) Traders from the project area to be given the opportunity to supply food stuffs for student
meals.

g) Increase in revenue by government through taxes

Employees and the people supplying goods and services at the project site will be paying taxes
that will be remitted to MRA.

Enhancement Measure: Remitting taxes to MRA from wages and service provisions in time

Negative Impacts

a) Increase in the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases

Interaction among male and female students as well as workers may result in unacceptable unions
that may increase the spread of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.

Mitigation Measures:
i) Carry out sensitization meetings for students, workers and local communities from time to
time;
ii) Empowering the community through outsourcing of non-core activities;

57
 iii) Develop an HIV/AIDS workplace policy; and
iv) Distribution of condoms and Education, information and communication materials on HIV
and AIDS to students and workers.

b) Increase in criminal acts

The students’ hostels may attract thieves trying to steal student property. These may also end up
stealing from the surrounding communities. Conflicts may arise between students and the
surrounding communities that may culminate into violent acts.

Mitigation Measures:
i) Sensitize the communities and students on how they can live in harmony;
ii) Introduce community policing in conjunction with Sanctuary Police station;
iii) Sensitizing the community on the ownership of the students’ hostels; and
iv) Request for a police unit within the project area.

c) Poor solid waste management

There will be a total addition of 5000 students and 50 employees when the college is operating at
full capacity. These will generate a lot of trash in form of paper, used bottles, and domestic waste.

Mitigation Measures:
i) Provision of dust bins or rubbish pits for the wastes produced;
ii) Segregation of wastes by providing different bins for each type of waste;
iii) Maintaining the dumping site that will be identified during construction;
iv) Collecting and disposing of wastes at Area 38 designated dumpsite regularly; and
v) Used chemicals should be disposed in consultation with EAD.

d) Liquid Waste
Effluent/sewage resulting from areas such as sanitary facilities and kitchen is of significant
concern with respect to the environment. It should never come into contact with the
surrounding i.e. water, soil, air etc. to avoid disease outbreak such as cholera, diarrhoea. It
should always drain effectively into the sewerage systems via well designed (closed) and laid
pipe networks. For this particular project, the proponent will construct a septic tank.

Mitigation measures
i) Discharge all the liquid waste into a waste treatment plant. The design of the internal
sewerage system should consider the estimate discharges from individual sources and the
cumulative discharge of the entire project i.e. it should have the capacity to consistently
handle the loads even during peak volumes;
ii) All drain pipes passing under building, driveway or parking should be of heavy duty PVC
pipe tube encased in concrete surround. All manholes on drive ways and parking areas
should have heavy-duty covers set and double sealed airtight; as approved by specialists;
iii) Sanitary facilities should be kept clean always, through regular washing/cleaning;
iv) Frequent monitoring of the internal drainage system; and
v) Blockages and damages should be fixed expeditiously.

58
e) Poor sanitation
The students and members of staff will be using water borne toilets and some ground laborers may
continue using the pit latrines that were meant for the construction workers. Poor management of
liquid wastes and sewerage disposal systems may result in poor sanitation and contribute to
pollution of the air at the site.

Mitigation Measures:
i) Provision of adequate toilets for students and members of staff;
ii) Construction of double chambered septic tanks for disposal of liquid wastes;
iii) Regular Inspection and maintenance of the septic tank network;
iv) Use of improved pit latrines for easy maintenance;
v) Provision of potable water within the site; and
vi) Sensitization of students and members of staff on the importance of good hygiene practices.

f) Surface drainage
The drainage of the general site comes in handy to enhance effective flow of the much
anticipated surface run-off emanating from the roof catchments and other impermeable areas
within the site. The subject plot lies on gentle slope; during operation phase there is a risk of
flooding on the lower part of the plot since a large section will be covered by hardscape.

Mitigation measures
i) Rain water harvesting gutters and storage tanks should be installed to reduce the amount
of rainfall reaching the surface.
ii) Semi permeable materials should be used for construction of pavements.
iii) After completion of construction, the proponent should embark on comprehensive
landscaping to increase softscape cover on the plot.

g) Fire
Fire outbreaks are common in Malawi and they are usually subject to detrimental
effects to the environment. Fire causes both economic and social drawbacks. It is therefore
important to consider the issue of fire.

Mitigation measures
i) Hire competent and properly authorized electrical contractor to do the wiring and other
electrical works.
ii) Install fire alarm system for entire project
iii) Install smoke detectors in kitchens.
iv) Installation of firefighting equipment following Country Fire requirements.
v) Conduct regular firefighting drills within the site.
vi) Develop and adapt an (fire) emergency response plan for the project during and
occupation stage.
vii) Ensure that all firefighting equipment are regularly maintained and serviced.
viii) Provide fire hazard signs such as “No Smoking sign”, Direction to exit in case of any
fire incidence and emergency numbers.

59
h) Increased energy demand
There will be increased use of energy operation phase (electricity used by the occupants of the
housing project). Energy conservation is thus fundamental. Energy conservation involves optimum
use of petroleum products (diesel and gasoline), electrical appliances (equipment), lighting
systems and other electric machinery as used for different purposes. It also includes use of
renewable energy sources.

Mitigation measures
i) Put off all lights immediately when not in use or are not needed.
ii) Use energy conserving electric lamps for general lighting.
iii) Make use of alternative source of energy such as solar power. Solar panels proposed in
the project should be fully utilized and timely repaired in case of damage.

i) Increased Water demand

Water is an integral material for construction hence during this phase, a high amount of water will
be required. During the occupation phase, the demand for water will also be high; mostly for
domestic use. Lack of adequate water during occupation phase may result to dirty surfaces
exposing the residents to disease. The subject plot will be served by the conventional water supply
system.

Mitigation measures
i) Install water conserving taps that turn-off automatically when water is not in use.
ii) Encourage water reuse/recycling during occupation phases.
iii) Roof catchments of building blocks should be provided with rainwater harvesting systems
(gutters, down pipes and water storage facilities) to enhance collection and storage of the
resulting run-off. Such water can be used in watering flower gardens, general cleaning etc
iv) Provide notices and information signs to sensitize on means and needs to conserve water
resource i.e. Keep/Leave the Tap Closed etc. This will awaken the civic consciousness of
the workers and residents with regard to water usage and management

60
CHAPTER 7 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING
PLANS

7.1 Environmental and Social Management Plan

An Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) outlines how the environmental impacts
of a project are going to be managed, enhanced, minimized and mitigated. The ESMP is also an
environmental management tool that is used to monitor implementation of environmental
management measures.

This EMSP outlines environmental impacts and their management measures, assigns
implementation responsibilities to stakeholders within a given time frame and estimates costs of
implementing the measures. The ESMP for the construction, operation and decommissioning
phases of Students’ hostels is provided in Table 7.1.

61
Table 7. 1 Proposed Environmental and Social Management Plan

Item Potential impact

Recommended Enhancement/Mitigation Responsible Authority Costs (Mk)
Measure
IMPACTS FROM PLANNING AND DESIGN PHASE

POSITIVE IMPACTS
1 Creation of Employment of local consultants  Old Mutual N/A
employment  Ministry of Labour
IMPACTS DURING CONSTRUCTION PHASE OF THE PROJECT

POSITIVE IMPACTS

1 Creation of  Employing unskilled labours as much as  Client/ Project N/A

employment possible from the project area manager
 Giving women equal employment  Ministry of
opportunities as men. Labour
2 Increase in market for  Purchasing materials from as many local Contractor NA
local construction suppliers. Project manager
materials  hiring trucks to transport construction
materials like sand, quarry and cement to
the project site.
3 Increase in business  Designating an area as a market within Contractor NA
activities within the the project site
project area
NEGATIVE IMPACTS
1 Air pollution  Applying water regularly to civil works Contractor/EDO 1,000,000
and earth roads to suppress dust
 Controlling the speed of construction
vehicles to reduce generation of dust.

62
Item Potential impact Recommended Enhancement/Mitigation Responsible Authority Costs (Mk)
Measure
2 Noise Pollution  Fitting construction vehicles with Contractor 850,000
silencers to reduce the noise
 Servicing machinery so that they can be
in good condition at all times
 Providing ear protection materials for
the workers in noisy areas
3 Soil erosion  Carrying out construction works out from Contractor/EDO 850,000
May - September
 Clearing only those places where
buildings will be constructed
 Creating drainage channels to direct
storm water movement
 Creating stone pitching where soils have
been excavated
4 Soil Contamination  Construction vehicles should be in good Contractor
condition to avoid fuel leaks Project Manager
 Servicing areas for vehicles should have
impermeable surfaces and should be
bunded
5 Increase in accident/  Introducing humps on the road to help Contractor 700,000
incidences reduce the speed of the vehicles Project Manager
 Erecting warning signs showing that
there is heavy machinery and
construction vehicles using that road for
people to be alert
 Providing workers with protective
clothing
 Training workers in the proper use and
handling of heavy equipment and
machinery

63
Item Potential impact Recommended Enhancement/Mitigation Responsible Authority Costs (Mk)
Measure
 Maintaining a first aid kit at the project
site
 Following health and safety regulations
6 Increase in HIV and  Sensitizing surrounding communities Contractor 1,000,000
AIDS and other and workers on the dangers of Local leaders
diseases unacceptable unions Min. of Education
 Encouraging girls to go to school to avoid
early marriages
 Providing women with loans for small
scale businesses so that they can be self
sufficient
 Develop an HIV and AIDS workplace
policy;
 Distribute condoms to both women and
men working at the site
7 Increase in criminal  Employ people from the surrounding Developer 1,500,000
Acts areas to reduce number of migrant
workers N/A
 Introduce community policing in
conjunction with Mitundu Police station
 Sensitize the community on the
ownership of the project
8 Poor waste • Provision of dust bins or rubbish pits Contractor 1,350,000
management for the wastes produced EDO
• Segregation of wastes by providing
different bins for each type of waste
• Identification of a dumping site within
the project area for various types of
wastes

64
Item Potential impact Recommended Enhancement/Mitigation Responsible Authority Costs (Mk)
Measure
• Disposing of wastes at the designated
places regularly
9 Poor sanitation • Provision of pit latrines for workers and Contractor Included in
drivers on the construction site Project Manager project cost
• Provision of potable water within the
site
• Sensitization of workers on the
importance of good hygiene practices.
10 Degradation of land • Buying sand and quarry from registered Old Mutual 1,250,000
and river banks local artisans Mines
• Carrying out sensitization of local Local communities
artisans on good mining practices
• Assisting communities with
afforestation programs for river banks
• Introducing alternative income
generating activities in the area.
11 Traffic Density  Notify the motorists about the project Contractor 950,000.00
once implementation is started.
 Put in place warning/ informative signs
(bill boards) at the site. The signs should
be positioned in a way to be easily
viewed by the public and mostly
motorists.
 The traffic along the connecting roads
should be controlled especially during
construction phase and mostly when
trucks are turning into the site, say when
delivering of materials.

65
Item Potential impact Recommended Enhancement/Mitigation Responsible Authority Costs (Mk)
Measure
 Employ traffic marshals to control
traffic along the adjacent roads and in
and out of the site.
12 Risks of child labour  Recruitment of workers through  Contractor 750,000.00
on the construction district labour office  Old Mutual
site  Erect sign board “ NO CHILD
LABOUR” on site
13
Use of lead-based  The Contractor shall ensure that paints  Contractor 450,000.00
with toxic ingredients or solvents or  Old Mutual
paint products. lead-based paints will not be used
14 Risks of inappropriate  Periodic sensitization of workers  Contractor 500,000.00
contacts between and students on zero tolerance  Old Mutual
workers and students against the malpractices
IMPACTS FROM DEMOBILIZATION PHASE

POSITIVE IMPACTS
1 Reduced noise levels • Removing all working and damaged Contractor N/A
construction machinery and equipment Project Manager
NEGATIVE IMPACTS
1 Loss of employment • Informing workers of project duration Contractor
when employing them Project manager Part of
• Educating the labour force on the need Min. of Labour project costs
to save part of their wages
• Paying severance benefits to all laid off
workers according to the provisions of
the labour laws.
2 Poor waste • Disposing of construction wastes at the Contractor 1,000,000.00
management dumping sites that will be identified Project manager
during construction phase. EDO

66
Item Potential impact Recommended Enhancement/Mitigation Responsible Authority Costs (Mk)
Measure
• Scrap metals will have to be sold or Min. Of Education
disposed at a dumping site that will be
designated specifically for such wastes.
•
3 Presence of bare areas • Trees and grass should be planted in Contractor 500,000.00
bare areas of the project site as a way of Project manager
restoring the area. DFO

3 Loss of business • Informing local traders of the project Contractor N/A

opportunities duration in time Project Manager
• Paying for all materials that were
obtained on loan in time
• Incorporate TEVET training in the
project;
• Outsourcing some services for non-core
activities for the college
4 Dilapidated access • Rehabilitate the access road leading Contractor 900,000.00
roads to the property. In case the major Project Manager
road is damaged by the heavy trucks
and machinery, the proponent
should embark on repair after
completion of construction phase.
IMPACTS FROM OPERATION PHASE

POSITIVE IMPACTS
1
Provision of modern  Sourcing funds for maintenance so that Old Mutual 5,000,000.00
and adequate and the hostels should be in good condition
affordable student and be in operation for a long time; and
hostels facilities at  Providing equal enrolment opportunities
for male and female students.

67
Item Potential impact Recommended Enhancement/Mitigation Responsible Authority Costs (Mk)
Measure
LUANAR Bunda
Campus

2 Old Mutual 2,500,000.00

Increase in  Sourcing funds for maintenance so that
LUANAR Bunda
performance of the hostels should be in good condition
students academically Campus
and be in operation for a long time
as most students will
leave close to the
campus and easily
access college
facilities
3 Old Mutual 3,500,000.00
Improve security in  The project site will be enclosed using
the area suitable walls to beef-up security and to
control movement within the site.
 Guard houses will be in place at the gate.
Security guards should always monitor
the gate of the facility to keep away the
intruders and to control movement
within the site.
 The guards stationed at the gates should
document movements in and out of the
site/property.
4 Creation of • Employing more people from the Old Mutual N/A
employment communities surrounding the project Ministry of Labour
area and other areas within the country
for both unskilled and skilled jobs
• giving equal employment opportunities
for both men and women

68
Item Potential impact Recommended Enhancement/Mitigation Responsible Authority Costs (Mk)
Measure
5 Improved access to • Providing extra social services that can Old Mutual N/A
social services by the be accessed by the communities.
local community
6 Increase in economic • Sourcing funds for operation and Old Mutual N/A
activities maintenance cost for the students’ hostels
to be in operation for a long time.
• Traders from the project area to be given
the opportunity to supply food stuffs for
student meals.
• Outsourcing non-core functions
7 Increase in revenue by • Remitting taxes to MRA from wages and Old Mutual N/A
government through service contracts in time
taxes
NEGATIVE IMPACTS
1 Poor solid waste  Provision of dust bins or rubbish pits for Old Mutual 500,000.00
management the wastes produced EAD
 Segregation of wastes by providing
different bins for each type of waste
 Maintaining the dumping site that will be
identified during construction
 Collecting and disposing of wastes at
Area 38 designated dumpsite regularly
 Used chemicals should be disposed in
consultation with EAD
2 Poor Sanitation  Provision of adequate toilets for Old Mutual 1,350,000
students and workers
 Construction of double chambered Part of
septic tanks for disposal of liquid wastes project cost
 Regular Inspection and maintenance of
the septic tank network

69
Item Potential impact Recommended Enhancement/Mitigation Responsible Authority Costs (Mk)
Measure
3 Increase in HIV and  Carry out sensitization meetings for Old Mutual 750,000
AIDS and other students and workers from time to time. Lilongwe DHO
sexually transmitted  Develop an HIV and AIDS workplace
diseases policy;
 Distribution of condoms and Education,
Information and Communication
materials on HIV and AIDS to workers
4 Increase in criminal  Sensitize the communities and students Old Mutual 1,000,000
acts on how they can live in harmony Sanctuary Police
 Introduce community policing in
conjunction with Sanctuary Police
station
 Sensitizing the students on the ownership
of the college
5 Liquid Waste  Construction of the double chamber Old Mutual 8,500,00.00
septic tank.
 The design of the internal sewerage
system should consider the estimate
discharges from individual sources and
the cumulative discharge of the entire
project i.e. it should have the capacity to
consistently handle the loads even
during peak volumes.
 All drain pipes passing under building,
driveway or parking should be of heavy
duty PVC pipe tube encased in concrete
surround. All manholes on drive ways
and parking areas should have heavy-
duty covers set and double sealed
airtight; as approved by specialists.

70
Item Potential impact Recommended Enhancement/Mitigation Responsible Authority Costs (Mk)
Measure
 Sanitary facilities should be kept clean
always, through regular
washing/cleaning.
 Frequent monitoring of the internal
drainage system.
 Blockages and damages should be fixed
expeditiously
6 Surface Drainage Old Mutual 4,500,000.00
 Rain water harvesting gutters and
storage tanks should be installed to
reduce the amount of rainfall reaching
the surface.
 Semi permeable materials should be
used for construction of pavements.
 After completion of construction, the
proponent should embark on
comprehensive landscaping to increase
softscape cover on the plot.
7 Fire Old Mutual 3,000,000.00
 Hire competent and properly authorized
electrical contractor to do the wiring and
other electrical works.
 Install fire alarm system for entire
project
 Install smoke detectors in kitchens.
 Installation of firefighting equipment
following County Fire requirements.
 Conduct regular firefighting drills
within the site.

71
Item Potential impact Recommended Enhancement/Mitigation Responsible Authority Costs (Mk)
Measure
 Develop and adapt an (fire) emergency
response plan for the project during and
occupation stage.
 Ensure that all firefighting equipment
are regularly maintained and serviced.
 Provide fire hazard signs such as “No
Smoking sign”, Direction to exit in case
of any fire incidence and emergency
numbers.
8 Increase in Energy Old Mutual 6,500,000.00
 Put off all lights immediately when not
Demand
in use or are not needed.
 Use energy conserving electric lamps
for general lighting.
 Make use of alternative source of energy
such as solar power. Solar panels
proposed in the project should be fully
utilized and timely repaired in case of
damage.
9 Increase in water Old Mutual 2,000,000.00
 Install water conserving taps that turn-
demand
off automatically when water is not in
use.
 Encourage water reuse/recycling during
occupation phases.
 Roof catchments of building blocks
should be provided with rainwater
harvesting systems (gutters, down pipes
and water storage facilities) to enhance
72
Item Potential impact Recommended Enhancement/Mitigation Responsible Authority Costs (Mk)
Measure
collection and storage of the resulting
run-off. Such water can be used in
watering flower gardens, general
cleaning etc
 Provide notices and information signs to
sensitize on means and needs to
conserve water resource i.e. Keep/Leave
the Tap Closed etc. This will awaken the
civic consciousness of the workers and
residents with regard to water usage and
management

73
7.2 Environmental and Social Monitoring Plan
The monitoring plan is vital because it is used as check if the mitigation measures prescribed in
the management plan are being implemented. It provides parameters to be monitored, indicators
to be used for monitoring, means of verification that mitigation/enhancement measures were
implemented, frequency of monitoring and assigns responsibility for monitoring.

To ensure that the environmental and social management plan for the students’ hostels is
implemented, an environmental and social monitoring plan has been prepared as outlined in Table
7.2. Stakeholders that have been assigned a responsibility in the monitoring plan need to budget
for fuel and subsistence allowances for their officers for them to carry out the inspection. This
urges the developer to implement the management plans so that the implementation of their project
does not contribute to environmental degradation in the project area or impinge on the welfare of
employees, students and local communities.

74
Table 7. 2 Proposed Environmental and Social Monitoring Plan

Ite Potential Recommended Monitoring Means of Frequency of Responsible Costs

m impact Enhancement/Mitigation Indicator Verification monitoring Authority (Mk)
Measure
IMPACTS FROM PLANNING AND DESIGN PHASE

POSITIVE IMPACTS
1 Creation of Employment of
local No. of local Employment Once, on Old Mutual N/A
employment consultants consultants records commencemen
employed t of assignment
IMPACTS DURING CONSTRUCTION PHASE OF THE PROJECT

POSITIVE IMPACTS

1 Creation of  Employing unskilled Number of local Records quarterly Client/ 500,000

employment labours as much as people employed Project
possible from the project manager
area Number of women Ministry of
 Giving women equal employed Labour
employment
opportunities as men.
2 Increase in  Designating a place for No. of local people interviews quarterly Contractor 500,000
market for the local market close to supplying Project
local the site materials manager
construction  Purchasing materials
materials from as many local Number of local
suppliers. transporters
ferrying material

75
Ite Potential Recommended Monitoring Means of Frequency of Responsible Costs
m impact Enhancement/Mitigation Indicator Verification monitoring Authority (Mk)
Measure
 Piling trucks to transport
construction materials
like sand, quarry and
cement to the project site.
3 Increase in  Designating an area as a Number of local interviews quarterly Contractor 1,000,00
business market within the project people selling 0
activities site goods at the
within the project site
project area
NEGATIVE IMPACTS
1 Air pollution i) Applying water No. of times water record quarterly Contractor/E 500,000
regularly to civil is applied DO
works and earth roads
to suppress dust; No of vehicles
ii) Controlling the speed over speeding
of construction
vehicles to reduce
generation of dust.
2 Noise iii) Fitting construction No. of vehicles inspections quarterly Contractor 750,000
vehicles with silencers to fitted with
reduce the noise silencers
iv) Servicing machinery so
that they can be in good Machines in good
condition at all times condition
v) Providing ear protection
materials for the workers No. of workers
in noisy areas using PPEs

76
Ite Potential Recommended Monitoring Means of Frequency of Responsible Costs
m impact Enhancement/Mitigation Indicator Verification monitoring Authority (Mk)
Measure
3 Soil erosion  Carrying out construction Construction inspections Once on Contractor/E 500,000
works out from May – period commencemen DO
September t
 Creating drainage Availability of
channels to direct storm drainage channels
water movement
 Creating stone pitching
where soils have been presence of stone
excavated pitching
 Clearing only those
places where buildings
will be constructed
4 Soil  Construction vehicles No. of vehicles Records quarterly Contractor 1,000,00
Contaminatio should be in good serviced Project 0
n condition to avoid fuel Manager
leaks Availability of EDO
 Servicing areas for impermeable
vehicles should have surface
impermeable surfaces
5 Increase in  Introducing humps on the No. of humps on inspections Once on Contractor 1,000,00
accident/ road to help reduce the the local road commencemen Project 0
incidences speed of the vehicles t Manager
 Erecting warning signs No. of warning Ministry of
showing that there is signs erected Labour
heavy machinery and
construction vehicles

77
Ite Potential Recommended Monitoring Means of Frequency of Responsible Costs
m impact Enhancement/Mitigation Indicator Verification monitoring Authority (Mk)
Measure
using that road for people
to be alert No. of people quarterly
 Following health and using PPEs
safety regulations
 Providing workers with No. of people
protective clothing trained
 Training workers in the
proper use and handling Presence of a first
of heavy equipment and aid kit
machinery
 Maintaining a first aid kit
at the project site
6 Increase in  Sensitizing local people No. of Records quarterly Contractor 1,000,00
HIV/AIDS and workers at the site on sensitization Local leaders 0
and other the dangers of meetings District AIDS
diseases unacceptable unions Cordinator
 Distribute condoms to
both men and women
 Encouraging girls to go No of school drop
to school to avoid early outs
marriages
No. of women
 Providing women with carrying out
loans for small scale businesses
businesses so that they
can be self sufficient HIV policy in
place

78
Ite Potential Recommended Monitoring Means of Frequency of Responsible Costs
m impact Enhancement/Mitigation Indicator Verification monitoring Authority (Mk)
Measure
 Develop an HIV and
AIDS workplace policy;
7 Increase in  Employ people from the No of criminal Police Quarterly Developer 1,000,00
criminal Acts. surrounding areas to incidences records 0
reduce number of
migrant workers No. of local people Once on
 Sensitize the community employed Records commencemen
on the ownership of the t
project Community
 Introduce community policing in place
policing in conjunction Police unit in place
with Mitundu Police
station
 Request for a police unit
within the project area
8 Poor waste • Provision of dust bins or Dust bins for each Inspections Quarterly Contractor 1,000,00
management rubbish pits for the type of waste in EDO 0
wastes produced place DEHO
• Segregation of wastes
by providing different
bins for each type of
waste Once on
• Identification of a Dumping site commencemen
dumping site within the identified t
project area for various
types of wastes No. of times quarterly
rubbish is removed

79
Ite Potential Recommended Monitoring Means of Frequency of Responsible Costs
m impact Enhancement/Mitigation Indicator Verification monitoring Authority (Mk)
Measure
• Disposing of wastes at
the designated places
regularly
9 Poor • Provision of pit latrines Pit latrines in Inspections Once during Contractor 1,250,00
sanitation for workers on the place commencemen Project 0
construction site t Manager
• Provision of potable DEHO
water within the site Potable water in
• Sensitization of workers place quarterly
on the importance of records
good hygiene practices. No. of
sensitization
meetings
10 Degradation • Buying sand and quarry No. of local Records quarterly Min. of 1,000,00
of land and from registered local registered local education 0
river banks artisans artisans supplying Mines
• Carrying out materials Local
sensitization of local No. of meetings communities
artisans on good mining EDO
practices
• Designating places for No of official
sand and quarry mining mining sites
• Assisting communities
with afforestation No. of
programs for river banks afforestation
• Introducing alternative programs
income generating
activities in the area.

80
Ite Potential Recommended Monitoring Means of Frequency of Responsible Costs
m impact Enhancement/Mitigation Indicator Verification monitoring Authority (Mk)
Measure
Presence of other
IGAs

11 Risks of child  Recruitment of workers  Records of  Signposts Monthly  Ministry 500,000.

labour on the through district labour recruitment  Records of Labour 00
construction office  Presence of
site  Erect sign board “ NO sign of “No
CHILD LABOUR” on Child Labour”
site
12  The Contractor shall  Evidence of  Purchase Quarterly  Old 550,000.
Use of lead- ensure that paints with using non lead- records/r Mutual 00
based paint toxic ingredients or based paint eceipts  EAD
products. solvents or lead-based
paints will not be used
13 Risks of Number  of  Minutes Monthly  Dean of 300,000.
inappropriate  Periodic sensitization
meetings Students 00
contacts of workers and students
on zero tolerance
between
against the
workers and malpractices
students
IMPACTS FROM DECOMMISSIONING PHASE

POSITIVE IMPACTS
1 Reduced • Removing all working and All equipment Inspections Once upon Contractor 1,250,00
noise levels damaged construction removed decommissioni Project 0
machinery and equipment ng Manager
EDO

81
Ite Potential Recommended Monitoring Means of Frequency of Responsible Costs
m impact Enhancement/Mitigation Indicator Verification monitoring Authority (Mk)
Measure

NEGATIVE IMPACTS
1 Loss of • Informing workers of Severance benefits Records Once on Contractor
employment project duration when decommissioni Project 50,000
employing them ng manager
• Educating the labour Min. of
force on the need to save Labour
part of their wages
• Paying severance
benefits to all laid off
workers according to the
provisions of the labour
laws.
2 Poor waste • Disposing of Site clear of Inspections Once Contractor 500,000
management construction wastes at the construction Project
dumping sites that will be wastes and scrap manager
identified during metal EDO
construction phase. Min. of
• Scrap metals will have to Education
be sold or disposed at a
dumping site that will be
designated specifically
for such wastes.
• Trees and grass should be Well landscaped
planted in bare areas of premises
the project site as a way
of restoring the area.

82
Ite Potential Recommended Monitoring Means of Frequency of Responsible Costs
m impact Enhancement/Mitigation Indicator Verification monitoring Authority (Mk)
Measure
3 Loss of • Informing local traders of Materials paid for Records Once Contractor 850,000
business the project duration in Project
opportunities time Manager
• Paying for all materials
that were obtained on loan
in time
• Incorporate TEVET
training in the project
• Outsourcing some
services for non core
activities for the college
IMPACTS FROM OPERATION PHASE

POSITIVE IMPACTS
1 increase in • Sourcing funds for No. of students Records Annually Ministry of 500,000
the number of running costs trained Education
teachers in • Providing equal
the country enrolment opportunities
for men and women
teachers from across the No. of women
country enrolled
2 Creation of • Employing more people No. of people Records Annually Developer/M 750,000
employment from the communities local people inistry of
surrounding the project employed Labour
area and other areas
within the country for

83
Ite Potential Recommended Monitoring Means of Frequency of Responsible Costs
m impact Enhancement/Mitigation Indicator Verification monitoring Authority (Mk)
Measure
both unskilled and skilled No. of women
jobs employed
• giving equal employment
opportunities for both
men and women
3 Improved • Providing extra social Presence of social Inspection Once on Min. of 500,000
access to services that can be services Education
social accessed by the Local
services by communities. communities
the local
community
4 Increase in • Sourcing funds for No. of traders Records Quarterly Min. of N/A
economic operation and supplying goods Education
activities maintenance cost
• Outsourcing non-core
functions
• Traders from the project
area to be given the
opportunity to supply
food stuffs for student
meals.
5 Increase in • Remitting taxes to MRA Remittances to Records Annually Min. of N/A
revenue by from wages and service MRA Education
government contracts in time
through taxes
NEGATIVE IMPACTS

84
Ite Potential Recommended Monitoring Means of Frequency of Responsible Costs
m impact Enhancement/Mitigation Indicator Verification monitoring Authority (Mk)
Measure
1 Poor waste  Provision of dust bins or No. of dust bins Inspections Quarterly Principal of 1,500,00
management rubbish pits for the Bunda 0
wastes produced Campus
 Segregation of wastes by EAD
providing different bins
for each type of waste
 Maintaining the dumping Presence of Once during
site that will be identified dumping site operation
during construction
 Collecting and disposing
of wastes at the Frequency of Records quarterly
designated places waste disposal
regularly
 Used chemicals should Presence of inspections
be disposed in hazardous waste
consultation with EAD disposal site
2 Poor  Provision of adequate No of toilets Inspections Once during Bunda 1,000,00
Sanitation toilets for students and operation Campus 0
members of staff Management
 Construction of double Presence of septic DEHO
chambered septic tanks tank in good
for disposal of liquid condition Quarterly
wastes
 Regular Inspection and
maintenance of the
septic tank network

85
Ite Potential Recommended Monitoring Means of Frequency of Responsible Costs
m impact Enhancement/Mitigation Indicator Verification monitoring Authority (Mk)
Measure
3 Increase in  Carry out sensitization No of meetings Records Quarterly Local 750,000
HIV and meetings for students, Communities
AIDS and teachers support staff and Principal of
other sexually local communities from Bunda
transmitted time to time. Campus
diseases  Develop an HIV and Policy in place DEHO
AIDS workplace policy; District AIDS
 Distribution of condoms Cordinator
and information No. of condoms
materials on HIV and distributed
AIDS to workers
4 Increase in  Sensitize the No. of criminal Police Quarterly Min of 1,000,00
criminal acts communities and incidences records Education 0
students on how they can Mitundu
live in harmony Community Once during Police
 Sensitizing the policing in place inspections operation
community members on
the ownership of the Police unit in place
college
 Introduce community
policing in conjunction
with Mitundu Police
station
 Request for a police unit
within the project area.

86
Ite Potential Recommended Monitoring Means of Frequency of Responsible Costs
m impact Enhancement/Mitigation Indicator Verification monitoring Authority (Mk)
Measure
5 Surface Presence of rain Inspection Bi-annual EAD 750,000.
 Rain water harvesting
Drainage harvesting gutters 00
gutters and storage tanks
and storage tanks
should be installed to
reduce the amount of
rainfall reaching the
surface.
 Semi permeable
materials should be used
for construction of
pavements.
 After completion of
construction, the
proponent should
embark on
comprehensive
landscaping to increase
softscape cover on the
plot.
6 Fire Records of Inspection Monthly Ministry of 2,500,00
 Hire competent and
authorized Labour 0.00
properly authorized
electrician
electrical contractor to
MERA
do the wiring and other
Presence of fire
electrical works.
alarm
 Install fire alarm system
for entire project

87
Ite Potential Recommended Monitoring Means of Frequency of Responsible Costs
m impact Enhancement/Mitigation Indicator Verification monitoring Authority (Mk)
Measure
 Install smoke detectors Presence of fire
in kitchens. exit signs
Presence of
 Installation of firefighting
firefighting equipment equipment and
following County Fire records of
requirements. servicing
 Conduct regular
firefighting drills within Presence of fire
the site. hazard signs
 Develop and adapt an
(fire) emergency
response plan for the
project during and
occupation stage.
 Ensure that all
firefighting equipment
are regularly maintained
and serviced.
 Provide fire hazard signs
such as “No Smoking
sign”, Direction to exit
in case of any fire
incidence and
emergency numbers.

88
Ite Potential Recommended Monitoring Means of Frequency of Responsible Costs
m impact Enhancement/Mitigation Indicator Verification monitoring Authority (Mk)
Measure
7 Increase in Presence of energy Inspection Quarterly Energy 950,000.
 Put off all lights
Energy conserving electric Department 00
immediately when not in
Demand lamps
use or are not needed.
 Use energy conserving Availability and
electric lamps for condition of solar
general lighting. panels
 Make use of alternative
source of energy such as
solar power. Solar
panels proposed in the
project should be fully
utilized and timely
repaired in case of
damage.
8 Increase in Presence of water Inspection Bi-annual CRWB 1,000,00
 Install water conserving
water demand conserving taps 0.00
taps that turn-off
automatically when
Presence of gutters
water is not in use.
on roofs
 Encourage water
reuse/recycling during Presence of
occupation phases. notices on water
serving means
 Roof catchments of
building blocks should
be provided with

89
Ite Potential Recommended Monitoring Means of Frequency of Responsible Costs
m impact Enhancement/Mitigation Indicator Verification monitoring Authority (Mk)
Measure
rainwater harvesting
systems (gutters, down
pipes and water storage
facilities) to enhance
collection and storage of
the resulting run-off.
Such water can be used
in watering flower
gardens, general
cleaning etc
 Provide notices and
information signs to
sensitize on means and
needs to conserve water
resource i.e.
Keep/Leave the Tap
Closed etc. This will
awaken the civic
consciousness of the
workers and residents
with regard to water
usage and management

90
CHAPTER 8 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

8.1 CONCLUSION
From the environmental assessment conducted for the project, it is clear that the project
potentially has some significant negative impacts which relate to the surrounding environment.
The impacts relate to issues pertaining to risk of pollution of the environment in case of
improper solid and liquid waste disposal; traffic congestion and general nuisance during
construction. Sanitation is also a challenge that has to be appropriately considered with
adequate safety measures in case of bursting of sewage pipes which may pollute the immediate
environment.

It should be noted, however, that despite the above potential impacts, it is possible with
adequate design and implementation measures advanced in this report to mitigate the
environmental effects and reduce them to acceptable levels. It is recommended that strict
monitoring measures will be instituted both from an engineering and environmental point
considering the sensitivity of the site. This will ensure that the project adheres to acceptable
practices and standards.

The project will assist to create modern and adequate hostel facilities at LUANAR, Bunda
campus, which will assist to increase students’ enrolment and enhance their academic
performance.

8.2 SUMMARY OF POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS

8.2.1 Summary of key positive impacts

A summary of the key positive impacts identified in the EIA study are indicated below:
a) Provision of modern and adequate and affordable student hostels facilities at LUANAR,
Bunda campus;
b) Increased enrolment of medical University Students;
c) Reduced demand for rented out-of-campus accommodation
d) Increase in performance of students academically as most students will leave close to
the campus and easily access college facilities
e) Creation of Employment;
f) Increase in market for local construction materials;
g) Increase in business activities within the project area;
h) Improve security in the area;
i) Increase in economic activities;
j) Increase in revenue by government through taxes; and
k) Improved aesthetic value.
l)

8.2.2 Summary of key negative impacts

The following is a summary of the main negative impacts and recommended measures to
minimize or eliminated the impacts:
a) Loss of vegetation and animal habitats due to site clearing;
b) Dust generation;
c) Soil erosion and sedimentation;
d) Generation of waste;
e) Increased Noise Levels;
f) Pollution of the environment from engine oils and pollution;
93
 g) Creation of borrow pits from quarrying of construction materials
h) Visual Intrusion;
i) Disruption of existing services;
j) Occupational safety and health risks;
k) Risk of Increased incidences of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV and
AIDS.

The proposed project design has integrated mitigation measures with a view to ensuring
compliance with all the applicable laws and procedures. The structures will be built to the
required planning/architectural/structural standards of the National Construction Industrial
Council (NCIC). During project implementation and occupation, sustainable environmental
management will be ensured; avoiding inadequate use of natural resources, conserving nature
sensitively and guarantees a respectful and fair treatment of all people working on the project,
general public at the vicinity and inhabitants of the project.

In relation to the proposed mitigation measures that will be incorporated during construction
and operational/occupation phases; the development’s input to the society; the project is
considered beneficial and important. It is our considerable opinion that the proposed
development is a timely venture that will subscribe to the government housing policy and
investment call. It is thus our recommendation that the project be allowed to go ahead with the
implementation provided the outlined mitigation measures are adhered to. Major concerns
should nevertheless be focused towards minimizing the occurrence of impacts that would
degrade the general environment. This will however be overcome through close adherence and
implementation of the recommended Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring
Plans (ESMPs).

8.3 OVERALL RECOMMENDATION

It is the consultant’s view that the project be allowed to proceed on condition that the measures
proposed in this ESIA Report and in particular in the ESMP are fully implemented.
Recommendations for the prevention and mitigation of adverse impacts are as follows:
a) All solid waste materials and debris resulting from construction activities must be
disposed off at Waste management dumping site in Area 38;
b) Construction activities must be undertaken only during the day i.e. between 7:30 am –
6:00 pm to minimize disturbance to the general public within the proximity of the
site/project;
c) Traffic along the access/connecting roads should be controlled during construction and
especially when heavy trucks are turning in and out of the site to ensure that no
accidents are caused by the site’s activities;
d) During construction all loose soils must be compacted to prevent any erosion by wind
or water. Other appropriate soil erosion control measures can be adapted. Any
stockpiles of earth should be enclosed, covered or sprinkled with water during dry or
windy conditions to minimize generation of dust particles into the air;
e) Once earthworks have been done, restoration of the worked areas should be carried out
immediately by backfilling, landscaping/ levelling and planting of low grass (in open
areas), flowers and suitable tree species;
f) Ensure proper water usage during construction and occupational phases. Contractor can
import water using bowsers and tankers with the approval of relevant water authority.
Provide water saving valves and install rainwater harvesting systems (gutters, down
pipes and storage facilities);

94
g) Drains will be properly designed, installed and regularly maintained to prevent storm
water (run-off) from accumulating within the site and spreading to the neighbourhood.
These must effectively drain the storm from the premise in to the existing public
drainage system along the road;
h) Proper and regular maintenance of construction machinery and equipment will reduce
emission of hazardous fumes and noise resulting from friction of rubbing metal bodies.
Maintenance should be conducted in a designated area and in a manner not to interfere
with the environment;
i) Heavy construction activities should be limited (or avoided) during the rainy season to
minimize the chances of soil degradation (soil erosion);
j) Maintenance activities must be carried out in service bay to reduce chances of oils or
grease or other maintenance materials, from coming into contact with environment
(water or soil). Waste water from such areas must be refrained from coming into contact
with soil mass or water bodies as it contains oil/grease spills;
k) Used and new oils must be handled and stored appropriately to avoid oil leaks and spills
on the site;
l) Sewerage system must be properly designed within the site /house and effectively
connected to the existing sewer line. Design specifications must be followed during
installation. Standard cleanliness of sanitary and waste disposal facilities at construction
site must be maintained;
m) Workers must be provided with complete protective and safety gear. They must have
working boots, complete overalls, helmets, gloves, earmuffs, nose-masks, goggles etc.
n) Fully equipped first aid kit must be provided within the site. Workers should get food
that is hygienically prepared; the source of such food must be legalized or closely
controlled;
o) The contractor must provide adequate security during the construction period and
especially during the night when there are no construction activities ;
p) A complete firefighting system must be provided after completion of the project. The
equipment is clearly provided in the design plan, and in the report. This must be
installed or provided at strategic points; and
q) Diligence on the part of the contractor and proper supervision by the Supervising
Foreman during construction and the property manager during operation.

95
REFERENCES
1. Government of Malawi (1997), Guidelines of Environmental Impact Assessment in
Malawi, Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining;
2. Government of Malawi (1997), Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Act, Ministry
of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development;
3. Government of Malawi (1998) National Decentralization Policy, Ministry of Local
Government and Rural Development;
4. Government of Malawi (1998), Local Government Act, Ministry of Local Government,
Lilongwe;
5. Government of Malawi (2000), National Land Resources Management Policy and
Strategy, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development;
6. Government of Malawi (2002), Malawi National Land Policy, Ministry of Lands,
Housing and Urban Development;
7. Government of Malawi (2003), Malawi National HIV/AIDS Policy, Ministry of Health;
8. Government of Malawi (2004), National Environment Policy, Ministry of Natural
Resources, Energy and Mining;
9. Government of Malawi (2005), National Water Policy, Ministry of Agriculture,
Irrigation and Water Development;
10. Government of Malawi (2007), Forestry Act, Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and
Mining;
11. Government of Malawi (2013), Gender Equality Act, Ministry of Gender, Children,
Disability and Social Welfare;
12. Government of Malawi (2013), Water Resources Act, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation
and Water Development;
13. Government of Malawi (2016), Customary Lands Act, Ministry of Lands, Housing and
Urban Development;
14. Government of Malawi (2016), Land Act, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban
Development;
15. Government of Malawi (2016), National Forestry Policy, Ministry of Natural Resources,
Energy and Mining;
16. Government of Malawi (2016), Physical Planning Act, Ministry of Lands, Housing and
Urban Development;
17. Government of Malawi (2016), The Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, Office of
President and Cabinet;
18. Government of Malawi (2017), Forestry (Amendment) Act, Ministry of Natural
Resources, Energy and Mining;
19. Government of Malawi (2017), Land Survey Act, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban
Development;
20. Government of Malawi (2017), Lands Acquisition (Amendment) Act, Ministry of
Lands, Housing and Urban Development;
21. Government of Malawi (2017), Local Government (Amendment) Act, Ministry of
Local Government, Lilongwe;
22. Government of Malawi (2017), Registered Land (Amendment) Act, Ministry of Lands,
Housing and Urban Development;
23. National Statistical Office, 2008. Population and Household Survey.

ANNEXES

96
ANNEX 1 Terms of reference for the ESIS for construction of Hostels at College ofMedicine,
Lilongwe campus

1. Provide a full description of the scope of the project with respect to the:
(a) Name of the proponent;
(b) The postal and physical address;
(c) The spatial location of the site for the project,
(d) The estimated cost of the project, the size of land for the project site,
(e) The number of people to work on the area including water reticulation,
(f) Waste disposal and access roads.

2. Examine the existing physical and socio-economic conditions of the proposed area by
identifying and analyzing:
(a) Geology and soil conditions of the area;
(b) Site topography and drainage systems (water courses);
(c) The scope of vegetative resources of the site;
(d) The scope of fauna within the area;
(e) Existing human land uses (e.g. cultivation by local people) and developments
within and surrounding area
(f) Suitability of the site for the proposed project.

3. Provide a site-specific map of the area (Scale 1:50,000) showing the proposed project
site and (1:10,000) showing existing establishments in the proposed area and
surrounding areas. A site plan for the project should also be provided.

4. Describe the major activities to be undertaken in the construction and operation of the
infrastructure and facilities for the proposed project. Identify the main construction and
operation activities of the project.

4 State any alternatives considered for the project.

5. Identify the potential short and long-term environmental impacts associated with the
proposed project, focusing on both the positive and negative effects as well as effects
to the biophysical, social, economic and cultural components of the environment. The
potential impacts must include those related to:
(a) Project planning;
(b) Project construction;
(c) Project operation; and
(d) Project decommissioning.

6. Prescribe appropriate measures /strategies to eliminate, reduce, reverse or mitigate the

identified negative impacts/effects identified in 5 including the measures to enhance the
positive effects.

7. Propose an environmental management and monitoring plan for the project. The EMP
should be in tabular form, which should specify the predicted impacts, mitigation
measures/enhancement measures, schedule of these measures, costs to undertake these
measures, and responsible persons and institutions. The Environmental Monitoring
Plan should outline all the main indicators to be used for monitoring the impacts and
also the frequency of monitoring.

97
8. Undertake public consultation to ensure that all interested and affected stakeholders are
involved in the EIA process and incorporate their views into the EIA report.

9. Outline government objectives and the policy/legal framework on the environmental

impact assessment - as a justification for preparation of environmental impact
assessment for a project. Provide a proper citation within the study report of all the
reference materials including all relevant Malawi Government Policies and laws in the
case of the implementation of the proposed project (e.g. Environmental Management
Act, Mines and Minerals Act, National Land Policy and Water Resources Act)

98
ANNEX 2 Stakeholders consulted and issues raised

Name Position Organization Comment Action taken

LUANA, Bunda Campus

Prof. G. Vice LUANAR The Project is a very The ESIA report has
Kanyama Chancellor important one as it outlined the benefits of
Phiri will assist to provide the project
the much-needed
additional bed spaces
for the students
Chimwemwe Estate LUANAR, The Project will assist The report has included
Nyirongo Managers Bunda campus to facelift Bunda details of the structures
Campus as the and how the Contractor
proposed hostels will should adhere to details
have modern of the architect designs
structures
Dr. Andy Senior Lecturer LUANAR, The project will assist The ESIA report has
Safalao Bunda to improve students’ outlined the benefits of
Campus performance in their the project
academic work as the
students will not be
traveling longer
distances to access
the University
facilities
Mr. Malembo Director of LUANAR The project will The ESIA report has
Finance and Campus enhance students’ outlined the benefits of
Administration safety and safety of the project
their assets as they
will all be
accommodated on the
campus

Client, Old Mutual Investment Group

Mphatso Head of Old Mutual Old Mutual will Preparation of the
Kasalika Alternative continue to work with ESIA report itself is an
Investment all the relevant indication of how
authorities to ensure committed the Client is
that the project is to follow all the
implemented as prescribed laws and
planned regulations when
implementing this
project
Linda Old Mutual Old Mutual is doing Preparation of the
Kumsinda everything possible to ESIA report itself is an
ensure that the project indication of how
is implemented in an committed the Client is
environmentally and to follow all the

99
 socially acceptable prescribed laws and
manner regulations when
implementing this
project
Brenda Investment Old Mutual Old Mutual will Preparation of the
Mwale Manager continue to work with ESIA report itself is an
all the relevant indication of how
authorities to ensure committed the Client is
that the project is to follow all the
implemented as prescribed laws and
planned. Once the regulations when
plans and designs are implementing this
ready Old Mutual will project
work hand in hand
with the City Council
to have the plans and
designs approved
Architect

Justin Mushan Architect MOD The designs of the The report has
hostels and the recommended that the
associated Contractor should
infrastructure are adhere to details of the
developed together architect designs
with the developer.
This will ensure that
the developer’s
desires are
incorporated into the
designs.
Patrick Calise Architect MOD The designs of the the Contractor should
hostels and the adhere to details of the
associated architect designs
infrastructure are
developed together
with the developer.
This will ensure that
the developer’s
desires are
incorporated into the
designs.

Other stakeholders relevant to the project

T. Mbale – Director Environmental The project is a good The ESIA report has
Luka Affairs initiative. It will assist recommended that
Department to make available implementation of the
modern and adequate project should follow
hostels facilities at all the environmental
Bunda Campus of laws and regulations
LUANAR. However,

100
 the developer should
ensure that the
necessary laws and
policies pertaining to
environment and
natural resources
management are
adhered to when
implementing the
project.

EAD will be
monitoring
implementation of the
project activities time
and again during
construction phase to
ensure that the project
activities comply with
environmental laws
of the land.

Construction
activities will not be
allowed to commence
until the ESIA report
is approved

Mr. Charles Water Quality Lilongwe LWB will be able to The report has included
Kachingwe and Water Board supply sufficient details of how Bunda
Environmental water and water of will enhance water
Manager good quality to meet availability for the
the new water project
requirements of the
college. However, the
developer will be
expected to use river
water and not piped
water for all the
construction
activities.
H. Nyangulu Commissioner Ministry of The Contractor The report has
of Labour Labour, should as much as stipulated all the
Vocation possible employ recommendations
Training and Malawians in his which will assist to
Manpower workforce. The take care of all the
Development Contractor will Occupation Health and
further be required to Safety Concerns which
introduce and enforce may arise as a result of
a site specific the project

101
 Occupation Health
and Safety policy to
ensure that no
occupational
accidents happen at
work place
Mr. Timothy Land and Ministry of The development will The report has not
Mwale Property Lands, take place within included issues of
Valuation Housing and Bunda Campus and compensation and
officer Urban the land already resettlement.
Development belong to Bunda
campus hence issues
of compensation and
resettlement will not
occur
Mr A.D. Dep. Director Lilongwe City The project will The report has made
Kwanjana for Cleansing Council generate both solid recommendations as to
Services and liquid waste how both solid and
hence the project will liquid wastes should be
be required to put in managed
place good measures
to manage these
wastes
Dr. Dafter Monitoring and NCHE Availability of The report has
Khembo. Evaluation adequate and modern included different
Specialist Hostels will assist to benefits that the
increase enrolment in project will generate
these institutions of
higher learning and
assist to improve
academic
performance of
students as all the
students will be
accommodated
within the campus
where access to
university facilities
will be easy. The
project is very much
required

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ANNEX 3 Designations and qualifications of the experts

The following personnel list was responsible for the conducting of EIA study for the project:

4.1 Lyson Kampira: (MSc. Environmental Science, Bachelor of Education

Science (Hons)) Mr. Kampira is an experienced Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
expert and will be the Team Leader for the Assignment. He is a seasoned Environmental and
Social Impact Assessment expert with More than 10 years of practical experience in ESIA
studies and environmental management in General. He has successfully conducted a number
of ESIA. In all, he has successfully conducted and led more than 20 ESIA studies and has
prepared more than 20 ESIA reports and Environmental and Social Management Plans for
different developmental projects ranging from irrigation, road infrastructure, hydropower
generation, mining, industrial development, infrastructure developments and water and
sanitation which have been approved by the Environmental Affairs Department.

4.2 Jonas Mwatseteza: PhD, MSc, Bed (Hons) and Bed (Sc): An Environment and
Analytical Chemist. He has conducted a number of EA studies and prepared a number of EIA
reports for different development projects. Has more than 6 years of practical experience in
conducting EIA studies and preparation of EIA reports. He has successfully done more than 10
similar assignments. The expert was involved in conducting stakeholder consultations,
environment review and assessment, report writing.

4.3 Martna Chimzimu: (Bachelor of Arts in Social Science) - Majoring in Sociology

with minors Political Science & Administrative Studies

Ms. Chimzimu is a seasoned Social Development Expert with wide experience in Environment
and Natural Resources Management, Climate Change, Gender and HIV/AIDS management.
She has more than 5 years’ experience in conducting socio-economic surveys and preparation
of social impact assessment and mitigation plans. She has vast experience in public
consultation.

4.4 Stanley Phiri (B.Sc. in Irrigation Engineering)

Mr. Phiri is a Water Resources Expert. Mr. Phiri has wide professional experience in the water
sector; irrigation, water supply, disaster risk management, environment and climate change
management and related water disciplines of water, sanitation and hygiene. This includes water
resources policy reforms for complex water demands for urban and rural water supply,
Sustainable Environmental Management of Water Schemes, Designing of Water
Infrastructures and Rural Development, Surface and Groundwater Hydrology, Catchment
Analysis and Management, Hydrological Modelling and Water Management, Rural Water
Supply and Construction Management.

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