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Regional development

The Mozambique LNG Project has the potential to catalyze local and regional development. In this way, the project may be associated with accelerated rates of change in the Palma District and the Cabo Delgado Province. A major driver of this change is associated with the influx of migrants into the project’s area of influence – a phenomenon referred to as project-induced in-migration (PIIM).

PIIM growth areas

Migrants are likely to be drawn towards certain areas. These growth areas have been determined by criteria including road access, proximity to the project area, and availability of primary infrastructure. 

Together with our project partners, we have identified Palma Sede as the primary growth area in the district. Palma Town is seen as a growth area based on its relatively developed infrastructure, services and utilities compared with rural areas on the Afungi Peninsula.

Road-side development along the R762 highway and the Manguna-Afungi Road serves as possible ‘growth corridors’ with the development of settlement, commercial activity and light industry. Within the Afungi Peninsula, Quitunda Village and Senga Village are identified as likely PIIM growth areas in the medium-to-long term. Migration to the Afungi Peninsula relies more on familial and personal links.

PIIM Plan

Project-Induced In-Migration Management Plan

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We understand that effective PIIM management strategies require an understanding of the dynamics and potential impacts of the PIIM phenomenon. Accordingly, we developed a PIIM management plan using the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Handbook for Addressing Project-Induced In-Migration (2009).

PIIM management plan

Our PIIM management plan applies to the construction phase.

The PIIM management plan distinguishes the areas inside and outside the project’s footprint, otherwise known as the project DUAT. The PIIM management plan addresses the potential population in-migration into areas outside of the project DUAT in the Palma District.

Purpose and objectives

The PIIM management plan establishes a framework for development planning and change management. This framework aims to increase the likelihood of positive project-related outcomes while simultaneously avoiding, minimizing or mitigating potential negative impacts.

The overall objectives of the PIIM management plan are to:

  • Pro-actively promote awareness and understanding of project development, local and regional planned- and induced-development pathways, and PIIM objectives
  • Promote a multi-stakeholder participation forum to focus coordination and collaboration efforts regarding development planning and avoidance, minimization and management of residual adverse impacts
  • Develop stakeholders’ preparedness to coordinate efforts that address PIIM
  • Promote design, planning and delivery of component programs that address PIIM development impacts

Our work with PIIM recognizes the relationships between broader socio-economic development and PIIM management as well as the complementary nature of development programming and PIIM management interventions.

PIIM management focus areas

This PIIM management plan comprises nine focal areas as described below:

Focal area

Objectives/Activiies

Managing inflow
  • Identify in-migration pathways and collaborate with key stakeholders (the government and project partners) to create systems that discourage opportunistic in-migration

Multi-stakeholder forum (MSF)
  • Promote and facilitate active multi-stakeholder involvement, participation and joint management of PIIM risks and opportunities
  • Enable synergies and improved planning for and oversight of regional development interventions

Spatial planning
  • Promote spatial planning to create an enabling environment for orderly growth in Palma District

Urban planning - infrastructure, services, utilities, and capacity
  • Support assessment of Palma Town infrastructure, services, and utilities capacity to meet future demand, and where appropriate, design measures to address key issues
  • Support development of a long-term urban plan for the Palma Town area
  • Support development of government and administrative capacity to support the development of Palma Town

Community strengthening

Build and strengthen communities’ resilience to adapt to an accelerated change and to an environment with new demands through targeted programs aimed at:

  • Strengthening their ability to articulate aspirations and assert their own cultural norms and identity
  • Enabling the acquisition of new and diversified skills so communities can take advantage of development opportunities
  • Strengthening community organizational and leadership structures
  • Strengthening community law and order and conflict management systems
  • Empowering those most marginalized and vulnerable, in gender-sensitive ways

Natural resource management and use
  • Support assessment of community-based natural resource management and potential impacts of PIIM
  • Identify priority areas and support appropriate community-based natural resource management programs  

Community health programs
  • Support the development and implementation of strategic health programs made in collaboration with the Government of Mozambique and other project partners, which mitigate community health risks on the Afungi Peninsula and anticipated PIIM hotspots in the Palma District

PIIM interface
  • Establish clear collaboration channels between internal project functions contributing to collective PIIM management

Tracking/Monitoring
  • Determine appropriate PIIM tracking and monitoring indicators to be collected and shared with key stakeholders on a timely basis to inform awareness, understanding, priorities, and decision-making