Civil Engineering May 2022 | Vol 30 No 4

12 May 2022 Civil Engineering within the project site there was a turtle hatchery that required careful handling. Environmental management plans and procedures and regular engagement with the local community ensured minimal impact to the surrounding area. The environmental and social impacts were carefully considered throughout the project lifecycle, leading to the intensive monitoring of: Q Q Air and noise pollution Q Q Benthic infauna Q Q Fish catch Q Q Lagoon biodiversity, sediment quality and water Q Q Marine biodiversity, sediment quality and water Q Q Marine mammals and turtles Q Q On-shore and shoreline Q Q Solid waste generation Q Q Underwater blasting vibration Q Q Wastewater/effluent discharge. Some specific interventions included: Q Q The construction of an offset turtle nesting and hatching beach Q Q Upgrades to adjacent community facilities Q Q Monitoring of water quality during dredging and reclamation Q Q Onsite treatment of all wastewater and stormwater flows prior to discharge Q Q Interception, collection and treat- ment of drainage water from Tema which formerly discharged directly to the sea Q Q Shoreline modelling of current and fu- ture impacts due to the new breakwater and offshore sand winning activities Q Q Social engagement with the local com- munities and monitoring of fish catch trends Q Q Design and construction of major buildings to achieve ‘IFC Edge’ green building certification. The improvement of the Tema storm- water system specifically provides many positive impacts. Discharge from the city was previously released directly onto the beach and into the sea, which is typi- cally polluted with industrial discharge, hydrocarbons, and significant quantities of plastic waste. The project diverted the existing stormwater outfalls from the city around the port and through a macro element and hydrocarbon separator struc- ture to improve the quality of effluent and to capture plastics and waste. All project activities were monitored and supervised to international standards, resulting in full compliance with the lenders’ and governmental requirements. This led to the development of compre- hensive management plans which ensure best practices are adopted throughout the operational life of the port. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Aside from the long-term positive impact and employment opportunities afforded by a port of the scale of Tema, there was also a positive impact on the surrounding communities during construction, which will have long-term benefits. Over 4 000 staff worked on this project, of which over 90% were Ghanaians. “Having been exposed to international construction standards, and health, safety and environmental systems, this project will leave a legacy. The staff returning to the Ghanaian labour market have gained skills and training to further develop themselves and contribute to the growth of the economy,” says Simpson. Through the development of baseline studies and ongoing environmental moni- toring, AECOM also worked with local subcontractors to implement modern methods, such as drone surveys and computational analysis to streamline and improve the project. Simpson believes that rigorous engineering, world-class management and a high-level of coordination and teamwork by all involved led to the Tema Port Expansion project being delivered on time, within budget and in line with safety and technical excellence objectives. “The Port of Tema will continue to provide economic opportunities and community benefits for decades to come, and this infrastructure project truly showcases the positive impact that civil engineering can have on a community, the economy and the environment,” he concludes.  The Port of Tema will provide economic opportunities for decades to come