What will the dam Really cost?
Unfortunately many of the EIA's projected benefits seem unlikely. First of all, the calculated spinoffs were based off similar infrastructure projects that do not deal with many of the same intricacies, controversies and resettlement issues that make the Ilisu Dam project unique. Furthermore, many numbers within the predictions do not add up, namely the breakdown in the number of jobs. Thus, the accuracy of these assessments is in question. Moreover, many of the mitigation measures considered would be implausible when regional factors are considered. For example, although the review promises the new jobs to affected populations, no training programs are in place. Since the affected regions are predominantly rural, workers in these areas are farmers or unskilled, unqualified for the jobs being created in the region. In actuality, there may be a shortage in experienced construction equipment operators while the impoverished population will largely remain unemployed. Also, unemployment will disproportionately affect women whose rural income-generating activities will disappear with relocation. The prophesied commercial and recreational fishing industries as well as the tourism industry will not be the savior that proponents of the project hope they will be. Not only does the EIA not account for the impacts that these activities will have on the region (besides for their supposed economic benefits), the EIA ignores issues like water quality that are crucial to these industries. Commercial fishing will be impossible as explained further in the websites section about sedimentation. |