9.0 Conclusion
To support Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) which seeks to address the constraints inherent in the Nigerian Agricultural Sector with a view to unlocking its widely acknowledged potentials, the Federal Government of Nigeria under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, working with the Kogi State Government intends to establish a Staple Crop Processing Zone (SCPZ) with an Agribusiness Investment Region (ABIR) in Agbadu- Alape axis of the Kogi State.
The general concept of SCPZ and ABIR Program adds to the vision of ATA by seeking to channel investments into infrastructure and strengthening the policy and investment climate, in an ‘Economic Zone’ type of operating environment. This is directed at unlocking economies of scale and improving competitiveness for processing and value added activities. This is expected to improve competitive cost structure for agro-processors in Nigeria, reducing the absorption of capital and operational costs and making them competitive in domestic, regional and global markets.
Thus, if well implemented, the project will support needed reforms and expectation of the agricultural sector of the Nigeria economy.
In the course of implementation, however, negative environmental and social impacts have been identified at a cursory assessment which require adequate and careful attention for this proposed project which has been categorised as 1 or A in the light of the yardstick of the Nigerian EIA regulations and World Bank Safeguard EA Policy.
Since at present, during this preparatory stage, no sufficient details are available with regard to the exact locations for each subproject activities and the core investment and infrastructures themselves, it became most helpful to prepare this ESMF. The ESMP outlined the principles and procedures that would be followed to ensure that implementation of SCPZ and ABIR investments activities satisfy the requirements of the existing relevant environmental assessment in Nigeria and that of World Bank Safeguards policies.
This ESMF did not attempt to address any site specific impacts related to individual undertakings (in any specific form) as the locations and extent of impacts or activities are not known at this preparatory stage.
Nevertheless, it spelt out the basic principles and processes within which the project/sub-projects shall be implemented, agreeable to all parties that would operate in the SCPZ and ABIR. Specifically, it provides guidance for environmental and social safeguards requirements for each subproject, subproject environmental and social screening and scoping, institutional arrangements and capacity required to use this framework and overall, the processes of ensuring all undertaking in the SCPZ/ABIR meet the national and local environmental & social requirements that also consistent with World Bank safeguards policies.
In conclusion, it is heavily considered that adherence to the principles set out in this ESMF by all parties that would operate in the SCPZ and ABIR is one sure way of making the proposed investment activities profitable sustainably in every sense.
Bibliography
Federal Ministry of Environment (2011): Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) for The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project covering Abia, Anambra, Cross River, Edo, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States prepared by Eugene O. Itua
FPMU (2008?)Environmental & Social Management Framework (ESMF) For Rural Access And Mobility Project, covering Enugu and Osun State - Draft Final Report (Updated Edition) Prepared By Earth Guard,
LAMATA (2009): Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) Towards The Preparation For LUTP II, Prepared By Multiple Development Services, June.
Ministry Of Local Development, Nepal, (2004): Environmental and Social Management
Framework for Rural Access Improvement Project
The World Bank (2012): Project Appraisal Document On A Second Rural Access And Mobility Project (RAMP 2) to Federal Republic Of Nigeria Report No: 65586-NG
USAID (2009): Environmental Guidelines for Small-Scale Activities in Africa
World Bank (2010): Environmental And Social Management Framework (ESMF) Environmental And Social Management Framework For State Expenditure Effectiveness For Opportunities And Results (SEEFOR) In Niger Delta States (Bayelsa, Delta, Edo & Rivers) Nigeria Prepared By Eugene Itua
Https://Www.Cgidd.Com/
Annexes
Annex 1: Summary of World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguard Policies (10+2)
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Use of Country Systems (OP 4.00). The Bank's environmental and social ("safeguard") policies are designed to avoid, mitigate, or minimize adverse environmental and social impacts of projects supported by the Bank. The Bank encourages its borrowing member countries to adopt and implement systems that meet these objectives while ensuring that development resources are used transparently and efficiently to achieve desired outcomes..
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Environmental Assessment (OP 4.01). Outlines Bank policy and procedure for the environmental assessment of Bank lending operations. The Bank undertakes environmental screening of each proposed project to determine the appropriate extent and type of EA process. This environmental process will apply to all sub-projects to be funded by the proposed project.
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Natural Habitats (OP 4.04). The conservation of natural habitats, like other measures that protect and enhance the environment, is essential for long-term sustainable development. The Bank does not support projects involving the significant conversion of natural habitats unless there are no feasible alternatives for the project and its siting, and comprehensive analysis demonstrates that overall benefits from the project substantially outweigh the environmental costs.
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Pest Management (OP 4.09). The policy supports safe, affective, and environmentally sound pest management. It promotes the use of biological and environmental control methods. An assessment is made of the capacity of the country’s regulatory framework and institutions to promote and support safe, effective, and environmentally sound pest management.
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Involuntary Resettlement (OP 4.12). This policy covers direct economic and social impacts that both result from Bank-assisted investment projects, and are caused by (a) the involuntary taking of land resulting in (i) relocation or loss of shelter; (ii) loss of assets or access to assets, or (iii) loss of income sources or means of livelihood, whether or not the affected persons must move to another location; or (b) the involuntary restriction of access to legally designated parks and protected areas resulting in adverse impacts on the livelihoods of the displaced persons. The ESMF and RPF reports discuss the applicability of this policy in detail.
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Indigenous Peoples (OD 4.20). This directive provides guidance to ensure that indigenous peoples benefit from development projects, and to avoid or mitigate adverse effects of Bank-financed development projects on indigenous peoples. Measures to address issues pertaining to indigenous peoples must be based on the informed participation of the indigenous people themselves.
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Forests (OP 4.36). This policy applies to the following types of Bank-financed investment projects: (a) projects that have or may have impacts on the health and quality of forests; (b) projects that affect the rights and welfare of people and their level of dependence upon or interaction with forests; and (c) projects that aim to bring about changes in the management, protection, or utilization of natural forests or plantations, whether they are publicly, privately or communally owned.
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Physical Cultural Properties (OP 4.11). Assist in preserving physical cultural resources and avoiding their destruction or damage. PCR includes resources of archaeological, paleontological, historical, architectural, religious (including graveyards and burial sites), aesthetic, or other cultural significance.
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Safety of Dams (OP 4.37). For the life of any dam, the owner is responsible for ensuring that appropriate measures are taken and sufficient resources provided for the safety to the dam, irrespective of its funding sources or construction status. The Bank distinguishes between small and large dams.
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Projects on International Waterways (O 7.50). The Bank recognizes that the cooperation and good will of riparians is essential for the efficient utilization and protection of international waterways and attaches great importance to riparians making appropriate agreements or arrangement for the entire waterway or any part thereof.
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Disputed Areas (OP/BP/GP 7.60). Project in disputed areas may occur the Bank and its member countries as well as between the borrower and one or more neighbouring countries.
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Disclosure Policy (OP 17.50).Supports decision making by the Borrower and Bank by allowing the public access to information on environmental and social aspects of projects. Mandated by six safeguard policies that have specific requirements for disclosure in country (Before project appraisal in local language and in English) and World Bank INFO-Shop (Before project appraisal in English). Documents can be in draft but must meet WB standards).
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