Based on impact identification on wildlife values and likely impact assessment during the construction and operational phases following conclusions were drawn with regard to the MDAJ hookup pipeline. Mitigation measures for this section has also been suggested.

5.5 Conclusions and Mitigation measures for MDAJ Hookup Section

Conclusions

1. The following considerations need to be reckoned with, when assessing the overall merit of an oil pipeline project.

2. That pipelines are the most cost-effective and efficient mode of transport in the long term because their operational costs are lowest, transportation losses are minimal and they help relieve pressure on the already stressed road and rail transport systems.

3. On above considerations oil pipelines are to be welcomed in preference to other modes of transport, especially because transportation of oil to different regions of the country is inevitable.

4. Having admitted the inevitability and the efficiency of pipeline mode of oil transportation, the environmental impacts of the pipeline projects need to be brought to the minimum and whatever impacts that do result, need to be mitigated as much as possible. Where essential, compensatory measures for important environmental values lost need to be provided for.

5. The most effective way of minimising the impacts is to choose a route which steers clear of high value ecological (flora-fauna) sites.

6. No protected area or any ecologically sensitive area lies en route the proposed 6 km long MDAJ hookup section;

7. No wildlife species (endangered/threatened/rare/ ecologically and economically important) is likely to be impacted.

Mitigation measures
As no impact on wildlife values is visualised by the proposed MDAJ hookup no mitigation measures are suggested.