Summary of the Environmental and Social Managememt Plan (Esmp)

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK GROUP

PROJECT : CENTRAL AFRICAN FIBRE-OPTIC BACKBONE PROJECT (CAB) – CAR COMPONENT

COUNTRY : CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (CAR)

SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMEMT PLAN (ESMP)

Team Leader S. OMAR ELMI, Senior ICT Engineer PITD.3

B. CISSE, Senior Financial Analyst RDGW.2

D. TILENGAR, Procurement Officer SNFI.1

S. MAOULOUD, Senior Financial Project Team SNFI.2 Management Specialist

P. HORUGAVYE, Environmental and Social SNSC.0 Development Coordinator

P. NGWALA, Social Protection Specialist RDTS.1 Appraisal Team RDGC.0 Director-General O. DORE RDGC.0 Deputy Director-General R. KANE

A. MUKHTAR PITD.0

Sector Directors S. TAPSOBA RDTS.0

Sector Division Manager N. WILLIAMS PITD.3

Resident Representative J. TOKINDANG COCF

SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

INTRODUCTION

This document is the summary of the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) of the Central African Fibre-Optic Backbone Project (CAB) – CAR Component. From an environmental standpoint, this project is classified in Environmental Category 2 in compliance with the environmental policy requirements of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Central African Republic (CAR). This summary is based on the 2012 Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), updated in August 2017, all along the Bangui – Mbaïki - Boda – Gadzi –Carnot – Berberati –Gamboula - Nola – Bayanga – Bomassa, and the Bangui –Boali – Bossembele –Yaloké – Bossemptele – Baoro – Carnot – Berberati – Gamboula - Nola Bayanga – Bomassa road sections.

The main objective of the Environmental and Social Management Plan is to present the environmental and social impact mitigation measures, the implementation capacity building measures, the supervision and monitoring measures proposed in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the CAB project –CAR Component, the estimated costs and the indicative implementation schedule. This summary is structured to achieve this objective.

The activities to be carried out under the ESMP involve several actors, including the administrative authorities in charge of the environment and other related areas. Some of the ESMP activities will be harmonized with those of the competent government services concerned, taking the needs of local governments and communities into consideration.

In addition to the introduction, this ESMP summary briefly recalls the project description and rationale, the legal and institutional framework in the Central African Republic which guides the ESIA, the potential environmental and social impacts and climate change-related risks, the mitigation/enhancement measures and complementary initiatives, public consultations and disclosure of information as well as the estimated costs and implementation schedule.

2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND RATIONALE

2.1. Project Rationale

The project involves the implementation of the Central African Republic Component of the Central African Fibre-Optic Backbone Project (CAB) recommended by the Summit of the CEMAC Heads of State held in April 2017 to provide member countries with a high capacity telecommunications network. This network comprises terrestrial fibre-optic connections linking several central African countries and providing the sub-region with digital broadband access to the global network from undersea cable landing points.

This project was designed to improve the supply of telecommunications and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services, in terms of quantity and quality and at affordable prices. Its objectives are to contribute to: (i) an effective increase in connectivity at national and regional level; (ii) an increase in broadband services; (iii) a reduction in the high cost of telecommunications/ICT to business; and (iv) expansion of the production of goods and services.

Furthermore, by providing sustainable access to electricity for data centres, the project aims to improve the people’s quality of life, which is one of the priorities expressed by the government of the Central African Republic in the 2017-2021 National Recovery and Peace-Building Plan (PNRCP), which focuses on: (i) the restoration of peace, security and reconciliation; (ii) renewal of the social contract between the State and population; and (iii) promotion of economic recovery and revival of the productive sectors.

SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

2.2 Project Description

In terms of infrastructure, the project provides for: (i) an extension of the national backbone over two key sections among the missing links and interconnections with neighbouring countries; and (ii) operationalization of the Digital Community Centres (CCN), construction of a datacentre and a Digital Training Centre. In terms of institutional support, the project also includes a capacity building component for the main national stakeholders as well as support to the PCU-CAB-CAR.

Table: 1 Project Components

No. Component Description

A ICT A.1 – Fibre optic infrastructure construction works INFRASTRUCTURE A.2 – Control and supervisions of fibre-optic works and compensation of persons affected A.3 – Operationalization of community digital centres (CCN) B APPLICATIONS & B.1 – Deployment of a National Datacentre ICT SERVICES B.2 – Establishment of an e-government hub

C INSTITUTIONAL C.1 - Studies SUPPORT AND C.2 – Technical Assistance to the Electronic Communications and Postal CAPACITY Regulatory Authority (ARCEP) BUILDING C.3 – Support to Educational Establishments (University and Bangui Vocational High School) C.4 – Support to the establishment and operationalization of the National ICT Agency (ANTIC) C.5 – Technical support to the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications C.6 – Capacity building for environmental protection agencies (DGE and WWF) D PROJECT D.1 – Staff of PCU/CAB-CAR MANAGEMENT D.2 – Miscellaneous costs D.3 – Technical, procurement, accounting and financial audits.

National Administrative Framework

Administrative oversight of the environment in the Central African Republic is provided by the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development, Forests, Hunting and Fishing (MEDDEFCP). This Department is responsible for the planning and management of environmental resources. The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications is charged with preparing and implementing government policy on posts, telecommunications and new information and communications technologies. It has oversight over: (i) the Project Coordination Unit CAB (PCU-CAB CAR); (ii) the Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARCEP); (iii) the Central African Telecommunications Company (SOCATEL); and (iv) the Central African Postal Authority.

Other ministerial departments also intervene in the project’s environmental management: (i) the Ministry of Public Works, which supervises incorporation in the road right-of-way; (ii) the Directorate-General of Environment (DGE), which provides ecosystem management and protection, and (iii) the Ministry of Agriculture.

SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

Description of the Size and Assessment of the Sensitivity of Areas Crossed

Infrastructure Component

Installation will be on a 20 to 40 cm strip at a distance of between 0 and 5 metres from the edge of the road pavement, thereby remaining strictly outside the rights-of-way on all the roads used to carry optical fibre. However, some properties in the public domain may be affected on the Bangui- Boali – Bossembele – Yaloké – Bossemptele – Baoro road.

The supply and installation of solar, office automation and IT equipment will have no impact on these environments. The sole impact concerns the waste materials from the packaging of the equipment supplied and recovery of some of the existing obsolete equipment.

ICT Applications and Services Component

Implementation of ICT applications and services grouped together correspond to what are known as ‘soft’ activities since they have no negative physical impact. On the contrary, these activities will generate the project’s expected impacts and outcomes.

3. POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES

3.1 Negative Impacts

The impact assessment was carried out on the activities relating to the deployment of optical fibre and accompanied by civil works, if necessary, on the existing road rights-of-way in accordance with the different project phases. Before describing the details by phase and how they are shown in the matrix below (Table 2), the negative impacts identified are summarized as follows:

Biophysical Environment:

 Soil pollution following the route site preparation works, site development and deforestation/cleaning/clearing; opening of access roads (earthworks); earth compaction, creation of ruts by the repeated passing of machinery and workers during the works preparation phase; spillage of oil, gasoline or other pollutants that could impact soil quality. This negative impact will be minimal;

 Air pollution because of dust emissions as well as exhaust fumes during the works. This negative impact will be minimal following the implementation of mitigation measures;

 Deterioration of the quality of surface water, which could be caused by accidental spillage of fuel and oils from machinery during the works phase and disruption of the hydraulic systems of water courses;

 Destruction of the natural forests and other types of deforestation. This negative impact on vegetation and flora will be moderate due to limited cumulative clearing;

 Destruction of breeding grounds of certain reptiles, risks of electrocution of avian fauna. Impact on fauna and wildlife habitats will be minimal.

Human Environment

The negative impacts on the human environment may be summarized as follows:

SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

 Modification of the landscape as a result of project activities (works)

 Increase in different types of accidents because of machinery and works

 Increase in different types of nuisances and pollution, risk of contamination by toxic products

 Increased risk of diseases such as STI and HIV/AIDS. The negative impact on health, security and neighbourly relations will be moderate during the works.

Table 2: Interaction Matrices

Biophysical Human

Water Soil

Constituent elements of the

sources

ater

w environment l

Economic

spects

Air

Living Living

Biotopes

Subsoil

nfrastructure

Heritage and and Heritage

Environment

Natural

Socio

Groundwater

Surface Surface

jobs

rosion

ssets

afety

chitectural

uality uality

anagement

q q

uality

missions

e haracteristics

Flor

eritage

Noise

Faun

uality and h

Stabilit

Confli

Air Air

nfrastructure

Water Water

Health

Physical

GHG

host environment

Landscape quality

Soil Soil

Sensitivity to

Local Local economy

Public Public equipment and

Rational

Aquifer Aquifer

Cultural Cultural and

MAIN ACTIVITIES Average annual flow rate in PREPARATORY PHASE Demarcation of the route and assessment of occupations and mD mD mD mD work force Delivery of materials and site mT mT mT development Recruitment and presence of MT mT mT labour WORKS PHASE Clearing of right-of-way for mT mT MT mT mT trenches and chambers Trenches/storage of backfill and mT mT mT mT mT MT mT mT mT construction of chambers Laying of fibre-optic sheaths and MT mT mT ducting for fibre-optic cables Trench backfill mT mT mT Circulation of project vehicles mT mT MT mT Installation of solar equipment and mT mD panels Waste management mT mT mT mT mT OPERATIONAL PHASE Zonal Connection MD MD MD Solar power supply MD mD MD MD Use of ICT tools MD MD MD MD MD MD Maintenance and supervision MD MD MD

Legend : Low negative High negative Low positive High positive

m: minor M: major T: temporary D : permanent

SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

In the Preparatory Phase

The installation of fibre-optic cable routes will affect a few properties. These are only present on the Bangui - Boali – Baoro road. There are no properties with any major negative impacts on the remaining roads: Baoro – Berberati – Gamboula – Nola – Bayanga - Bomassa. Furthermore, the delivery of equipment and materials could represent a nuisance for local communities, which is a potential source of conflict. This risk should be taken into consideration.

Works Phase

On the biophysical environment and during the deployment works, the civil works activities consisting in digging trenches, storing excavated earth, laying of ducting and backfill will create: (i) a risk of obstruction of the drainage networks on the roads carrying the FO; (ii) a risk of creating a trap for terrestrial fauna and cattle crossing the road; and (iii) a risk of water pollution through the drainage network and its outlets.

In the case of the socio-cultural environment, the civil works will create along the roads used and on the work sites greater risks of traffic accidents, noise pollution from transport vehicles and machinery during working hours. The risk of highly localized destruction of food crops exists in the urban and rural areas concerned.

During the works, the site personnel could adopt behaviour that does not comply with habits and customs. Furthermore, the presence of the contractor’s employees with fairly high monetary resources could lead to moral depravity (prostitution, banditry, etc.), which could cause an increase in STI and AIDS prevalence.

On the socio-economic front; the project will directly affect a few buildings (in local materials) in the towns crossed and in different villages only in the case of the Bangui - Boali – Bossembele – Yaloké – Bossemptele and Baoro road. This mainly concerns paving when crossing yards, home gardens, small cooking huts, kiosks and small shops, etc. For the few buildings concerned and if the people are attached to their original land and do not agree to leave, the possible displacements will only entail a slight shift back of a few metres from the road right-of-way. Therefore, the resettlement plan will involve initiating a compensation procedure for the destruction of assets present in the fibre-optic right-of-way. These amounts can be used by the recipients to repair or rebuild their property and/or restore their livelihood just a few metres away from the right-of-way. Moreover, the presence of transport vehicles and site machinery will restrict the traffic flow locally, resulting in temporary and highly localized consequences on the transportation of goods and services.

In the Operational Phase

No negative impact has been identified. The signal along the fibre-optic network is neutral with no radiation or nuisance of any kind.

3.2 Positive Impacts

During the works phase, the positive impacts of the project will be of a socio-economic nature with job opportunities offered to local young rural workers:

 Direct jobs on-site, and

 Indirect jobs linked to the development around worker’s encampments of certain trading activities (sale of agricultural and artisanal products, sale of food).

SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

During the operational phase, the positive impacts of the deployment of fibre-optics for the physical environment will all be linked to the infrastructure financed by the Project:

 Establishment of a maintenance system to ensure the sustainability of the fibre-optic cable network; and

 The installation of sustainable electric power through solar panels and equipment.

The project’s positive impacts on the biological environment will be linked to: (i) the disclosure of information through an early warning system which will, for example, allow the decentralized water forestry, hunting and fishing services to expand their knowledge of areas managed by them in collaboration with the other sector services

3.3 Mitigation and Enhancement Measures

The mitigation measures include actions, mechanisms, adjustments and alternative management methods that will be applied to mitigate or eliminate the negative impacts. The proposed measures are summarized below:

Environments Subject to Impacts Main Impacts Mitigation Measures

Soils Impact: Risk of soil Measure 1 : Monitoring of works contamination due to and strict compliance with the rules leakages/spillage and other of site protection and security substances during drilling works. Measure 2 : Monitoring of works

and strict compliance with the rules of site protection and security

Human Environment Measure 1 : Monitoring of works and strict compliance with the rules of site protection and security

Impact 1: During project works, Measure 2 : Control of movements there may be a risk of accidents of machinery and other site during the transportation of materials equipment with the movement of heavy machinery. Measure 3: Sensitization of drivers. Sensitization on the procedure for Impact 2: Poor management of draining waste oil from engines organic and liquid waste at the level of the living quarters. Environmental Measure 4: build the capacity of the problems caused by the hazards contractor’s employees as well as of created by different types of waste: workers in equipment management used needles (syringes); other training and management of organic contaminated cutting instruments; and biomedical waste. faecal waste, etc.

Flora and Fauna Measure 1: -Compensatory reforestation, development of Impact 1 : Tree felling nurseries

Impact 2: Water pollution

SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

Measure 2: Collection of used oil for recycling, avoid spillage in watercourses.

Construction / Cable laying Impact: risk of accidents during Measure: strict compliance with site works and workers’ safety clauses, restricted access, mark out the works with signage panels, bury the cable within 72 hours; etc.).

3.4 Residual Impacts

The residual impacts are those caused by the project’s negative impact after implementation of mitigation measures. Under this project, the residual impacts are deemed positive.

3.5 Cumulative and Cross-border Impacts

The cumulative impacts are those arising from the combined actions of activities related to the actual project and those from actions and/or related projects in the same areas of influence. These are mainly cumulative impacts generated by: (i) the Baoro -Carnot – Berberati – Gamboula - Nola Road Rehabilitation Project that will help to minimize the main negative impacts by sharing the fibre- optic corridor on the Berberati – Gamboula section in the direction of Cameroon.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE CHANGE RISK MANAGEMENT

4.1 Project –related Environmental Risks

The main environmental risk will be the pollution of the site areas. This is linked to poor management of waste stemming from the works, for instance polluting materials (storage, transport and use). Therefore, a Waste Management Plan is required in the specifications. It will include the recovery of obsolete electronic waste by the project.

During the FO cable deployment phase, another risk will be linked to exposure to road accidents. To mitigate this risk, security, sensitization and training measures will be implemented for the locally recruited personnel, the different communities, personnel directly involved, the appropriate departments (particularly civil protection, gendarmerie, forestry workers, etc.).

These measures concern:

 The sensitization and training of site workers and ad hoc teams from local communities in rapid response to disasters;

 Security measures to be complied with in hazardous or risky areas;

 Installation of communications and rapid evacuation equipment;

 Signing of contracts between workers’ health services and community health centres;

 Establishment and provisioning of local pharmacies;

 Sensitization of the local populace to health risk prevention and road safety; and

SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

 Organization of epidemiological surveys to assess the project’s impact on the environment and human health.

4.2 Climate Change Risks

The main climate change risks caused by the project along the road are: (i) water erosion due to increased rainfall; and (ii) fluctuations in seasonal temperatures. Furthermore, the trenches can be sub-divided into three layers: (1) one layer containing the ducting: At least 20 cm of compacted sand or loose, soft earth of a similar consistency will cover the different pipes or ducts; (2) layer between the warning grid and the sand: this layer will be constructed by compacting the excavated materials. The second risk will, among others, dictate the choice of HDPE tube (instead of standard PVC) for all the routes because of its better chemical composition and mechanical properties (non -corrosive, shock, creep, crack and abrasion resistant, ductile, etc.) and provide greater sustainability of the links established.

Concerning the fibre-optic to be used, the requirements are the same in physico-mechanical terms (insensitivity to different chemical and mechanical agents, mold resistant, fluctuations in temperature, etc.). For this project, the Community Digital Centres (CCN) will be powered by solar panels. Hence, the project will help to reduce the carbon footprint of the CAR power sector, which is 20% dependent on fossil fuels for the production of energy (80% by hydropower plants).

5. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MONITORING PROGRAMME

5.1 Organization of Environmental and Social Supervision and Monitoring

Firstly, environmental supervision will aim to ensure that the mitigation and enhancement measures proposed in the ESMP are effectively applied during each of the successive project phases (installation, construction and operation). The implementation of this supervision will involve (i) the project manager represented by the AfDB Project Implementation Unit (PCU-CAB CAR), which will include an environmental expert; (ii) the contractor, which will have an environmental manager per site to ensure the application of environmental measures during the construction phase; (iii) the Consulting Engineering form that will provide technical assistance for control and monitoring of the works, and will have an environmentalist as part of its team; and (iv) the local environmental monitoring committees, and the decentralized structures of the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development, Water, Forests, Hunting and Fishing.

Supervision will also entail verification of the conditions stipulated in the different legal and regulatory instruments related to other laws and regulations concerning hygiene, public health and management of the living environment.

Monitoring will aim to ensure that the measures to mitigate or compensate the negative impacts are implemented, and that the expected positive impacts from the project’s operational phase have effectively materialized.

The main objectively verifiable indicators that will be used to monitor these positive impacts include: (i) the number of people connected because of easier access to ICT; (ii) the number of new businesses (formal and informal) opened by men and by women; (iii) the number of jobs created directly and indirectly, and filled by men and women; (iv) the number of facilities equipped and operational; and (v) the number of boys and girls introduced to, and trained in new ICT technologies and services.

SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

The main indicators concerning the impact supervision and monitoring programme, as well as the implementation of mitigation measures are summarized in Table 3 below. The Table also summarizes the ESMP:

5.2 Environmental and Social Monitoring Programme

This programme is summarized in Table 3 below:

Table 3: Summary of the Environmental and Social Management Plan at the Different Project Stages

Potential Impact Mitigation/ Supervision Application Monitoring Indicators Performance Enhancement and Responsibility Objective Measures Monitoring Plan Study and Bid Preparation on the Institutional Framework Component Inclusion of Specification of Project owner Project owner Technical environmental environmental clauses Project Project manager specifications and clauses in BDs manager schedule of unit prices Extension of Formulation of specific Works guarantee guarantee to cover points relating to the document environmental environment and social aspects Smooth project Project and ESMP implementation; implementation Capacity building workshops Training session for E&S staff and in ESMP monitoring Works Phase Regular spraying of Regular Incorporation of 100% of Air pollution works rights-of-way verification of DGE control mission measures in the measures applied three (3) times per day air pollution Contractor specifications

-Limit the destruction of Verify erosion Presence of erosion; 100% of works vegetation at site level on works sites plant cover on sites restored to -Restore sites upon works sites good condition; works completion 0% pollution Soil (soil erosion, - Include environmental observed. pollution) specifications; prepare a parking area for site Consulting Consulting engineer machinery and a waste engineer management plan Collect, recycle or Verify the Presence of patches 0% pollution dispose of used oil from effective of oil on the sites observed. Surface water trucks and machinery implementation Contractor Consulting engineer of measures Limit tree felling only to Verify the Effective 100% of the right-of-way incorporation application in measures Tree felling and effective Contractor Consulting engineer specifications incorporated; applicability of (number of tress 100% of measures in the felled or amount of measures applied works grass cut)

Employ the maximum Verify the Number of people 100% of Employment amount of local labour effective Ministry of actually recruited performance implementation Employment measures of measures in the works specifications

SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

-Equip workers Verify measures Incorporation of 100% of -Limit speeds of in the Contractor Control mission measures in measures Risk of injuries vehicles and trucks specifications specifications implemented and accidents

Loss of home CAB PCU Refer to the Compensation garden areas Enhancement measures enhancement method and measures strategy monitoring

IEC/BCC actions for Communication Number of IEC local residents along the plan; sessions Acceptance by the cable route/living NGOs and CAB PCU implementation of conducted population quarters on the basis of a associations the information and Number of local Behaviour change DGE sensitization plan actors sensitized communication plan Local governments Sensitize contractors on Number of Creation of jobs hiring locally positions filled for the local Publish job opportunities Contractor by the locals and population locally and mainstream women gender

Sensitization actions on Number of Risks of spreading STI/AIDS prevention NGOs and sensitization STI/AIDS Distribution of condoms associations actions to employees conducted Number of condoms distributed Risks of theft of Sensitization actions Works phase Number of plans fibre and other CAB PCU Operational phase prepared items

6. PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE

The ESIA prepared in 2012 has been updated, using a participatory approach. This update was also made based on field visits and discussions with the representatives of the different technical services of the Ministries concerned, NGOs, private operators, socio-professional groups, the local populace, local authorities and communities, village chiefs and opinion leaders.

A series of stakeholder consultations was organized during these field visits. At each meeting, the project content was presented to the group in terms of economic, social, cultural and environmental challenges, mitigation and enhancement measures. Subsequently, the opinions and comments of the target population and groups were incorporated in the summary. These consultations were held in August 2017 for the Bangui – Boali – Yaloké – Baoro – Berberati – Gamboula – Nola – Bayanga – Bomassa road section (150 people, including 25 women).

The consultations resulted in a proposal of strategies for stakeholder involvement and participation in the project implementation. Stakeholder expectations and suggestions are summarized in Table 4 below. In the end, the population expressed support for the fibre-optic project, with the hope that the development would be inclusive.

SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

In view of the large number of villages and hamlets located along these roads, these consultations were held; (i) in August 2017 on the Bangui – Boali – Bossembele – Yaloké – Bossemptele – Baoro – Carnot – Berberati – Gamboula – Nola – Bayanga – Bomassa road section (150 people, including 38 women). On each occasion, the population expressed, with the hope that the development would be inclusive.

As regards compensation, all the concerns were taken into account in the mitigation measures related to the displacement of affected persons.

Table 4: Expectations of People Consulted

Expectations/Suggestions

- Security measures for children and cattle regarding the trenches that will be dug; - Dissemination of texts regulating the protection of property and compensation for assets in the Central African Republic; and - Support to the project on the social front, in particular with youth integration, direct or indirect jobs. - Preparation of a matrix of positive and negative impacts to ensure a deeper understanding by the population; - Installation of a protective system around the trenches; - Project support from a social standpoint, especially with youth employment; - Where the route crosses villages, fibre-optic cable will be laid within 48 hours of opening trenches to limit the risk of accident; - Information on the exact route of the fibre-optic cable; - Reinforcement of security for fibre-optic cable on bridges to prevent theft or vandalism; - Information on compensation procedures; and - Recruitment of local labour.

Table 5: Answers Given

Concerns Expressed by Answers Given Communities Risk of destruction of assets, Although the project is implemented within the road right-of-way and there is no zero crops and other items risks, should it occur that, following the technical implementation study the fibre-optic cable passes outside the right-of-way and an asset is affected, there are legal provisions concerning the compensation of people affected by projects declared to be in the public interest. Risk of accident at the level This is the main risk during the works. Emphasis will be placed on sensitization during of the trenches the works. Moreover, crossing facilities could be built to minimize the risk of falling. In the case of cattle, migration corridors will be identified. Project’s potential negative The project has no long-term environmental impacts. The main nuisance will occur impacts on communities, during the works, especially in connection with the trenches. biodiversity and the environment in the long term It is planned to install interconnection terminals along the fibre-optic route. Their Interconnection of villages location has not yet been determined but will take into consideration communities and areas to be covered. These terminals are not directly accessible by the population but will enable telecommunications operators to be connected and offer their services to the communities. Recruitment of local labour Trenches will be dug with the participation of local labour to be recruited along the roads, in agreement with the managers of the company responsible for implementing the works. Community service The project has a social dimension since it will contribute to the development of activities in support of the telecommunication resources (telephone, internet, television, etc.) by increasing the project, number of community telecentres, access to digital communication tools, facilitation of access to ICT services, in short facilitation of access by villages to ICT

SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

Final route of the fibre-optic This will only be known after validation of the findings of a survey prior to the cable launching of bids for the laying of fibre-optic cable. Involvement of women in The presence of employees for the project’s duration will enable several women to localities crossed by the carry out different activities, including catering. After the project, they will also be able project to establish office automation centres, cybercafés and telephone booths. Concern relating to reception The laying of fibre-optic cable should improve technology, which provides many of CRTV signal services and an appropriate solution to this problem. Specific benefits provided by The project in itself is already a factor in improving the locality’s access to the project telecommunications since it will help to develop means of telecommunication (telephone, internet, television, etc.) by increasing the number of community telecentres, access to digital communication tools and facilitation of access to telephone networks. What should be done with It is necessary to rehabilitate and maintain these facilities by creating several post offices most of which multipurpose community digital telecentres. are not operational and abandoned? Which company will recruit Most CAR citizens fall within the age group concerned (so as not to fall under UNICEF the workers and in what age sanction against the exploitation of children for remunerated work). Consequently, group will they be? CAR citizens who have reached the age of majority and whose skills are confirmed will be recruited, subject to the availability of positions. Is the fibre installed for the The objective of laying fibre-optic is to interconnect Congo, the Central African government or businesses? Is Republic and Cameroon. Fibre-optic does not function in the same way as electricity. fibre-optic like electricity, It is underground and only major operators use it to improve the quality of service of where everyone owns a their clients. Currently, households do not use this infrastructure. meter?

Are there any radiation This is made of glass or plastic and carries information through light beam. Fibre-optic effects from the fibre-optic has no harmful effects on the health of the locals. cable?

Impacts on water courses It was explained that the laying of the fibre-optic cable will be contingent on the bed when the fibre-optic cable is of the watercourse. In cases where bridges of permanent materials are constructed, laid the fibre will be laid on the bridge. In the case of slow flowing watercourses and where the bed is favourable, the fibre can be laid under the bed of the watercourse.

It should be noted that during the implementation phase, all partners will be regularly consulted through meetings. In addition, the ESMP summary will be published on the AfDB website.

7. COMPLEMENTARY INITIATIVES

7.1. Expropriation, Compensation and Resettlement

The project provides for the rehabilitation and compensation for loss of earnings for persons affected. These people are only on the Bangui – Boali – Bossembele – Yaloké – Bossemptele and Baoro road section. Moreover, only a limited number of people are concerned.

Estimates made to-date include a 10% provision for contingencies and payment of the appraisal fee. Compensations will amount to approximately CFAF 80 million.

7.2. Enhancement Support Measures

The CAB Project-CAR component meets expectations and concerns regarding enhancing ICT access. It also provides assistance in the form of training and IT and surveillance equipment (drones, GPS, cameras,) etc.) for organizations responsible for environmental protection, namely the Directorate- General of Environment and WWF, which have a base in the region bordering CAR and Congo through which the fibre-optic cable transits to interconnect these two countries. 13

SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

A communication campaign is also envisaged by the PCU-CAB CAR for an estimated budget of CFAF 15 million. It will have three focus areas:

 Advocacy: (i) organization of 5 local information and sensitization workshops for local leaders and elected officials, and representatives of civil society; (ii) organization of two (2) workshops on the preparation of Information, Educations and Communication (IEC) and Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) messages for the project’s local population.

 The institutional communication component. The aim of this is to: (i) produce IEC and BCC aids; (ii) prepare giant posters for the project’s local population; (iii) train peer educators in community outreach techniques for disseminating information to the project’s target communities; (iv) discuss the benefits of fibre-optics through community radios broadcasts.

 The mass media communication component whose objectives are: (i) contracting with community and local radios located in the project areas; (ii) articles and reports on the project in the private written press with national distribution.

8. Cost of the Environmental and Social Management Plan

The environmental management and monitoring plan contains three categories of measures:

 Technical and/or environmental measures to be incorporated in the bidding documents as contractual measures and which will not be financially evaluated;

 Supervision and monitoring measures, including capacity building measures the costs of which will be negotiated and agreed upon with the stakeholders (monitoring actors and service providers);

 Specific measures that will be included in the budget for social development.

Table 6: Estimated Environmental and Social Management Plan

SPECIFIC MEASURES UNIT COST TOTAL (CFAF) Initial Measures

Compensation 100,000 80,000,000 Environmental monitoring and supervision training 750,000 30,000,000 Establishment and operation of monitoring committees 50,000 20,000,000 in each locality Environmental impact mitigation actions and measures 500,000 60,000,000 Training/capacity building at the level of CCN, CFD and Lump sum 35,000,000 datacentre actors Information, communication and sensitization campaigns Lump sum 15,000,000 throughout the project impact area Recruitment of an officer in charge of environmental and 1,500,000 18,000,000 social development monitoring issues.

TOTAL 258,000,000

SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

9. Implementation Schedule

As soon as project activities are launched, the project manager through the implementation unit will prepare a work plan for ESMP implementation. The work plan will incorporate the environmental and social commitments of the contracting parties, government agencies and other stakeholders for monitoring by both the control mission and project owner. The project implementation team will play the key role.

In the month prior to works start-up, a procurement plan will be prepared for articles and equipment needed for mitigation and control measures. Furthermore, procedures to guarantee the quality of all project procurements will described.

During weekly site meetings, the project status will be reviewed, including the main environmental and social issues encountered, and the corrective measures proposed. The implementation schedule for these activities and the production of reports on ESMP implementation are aligned on the project schedule.

AfDB will also carry out a detailed project implementation review during its monitoring missions. The reports provided by the project team shall include the physical outputs of the works, implementation of the ESMP and an assessment of project outcomes. These reports will be submitted quarterly to the Bank. The monitoring mission will evaluate the performance of both the ESMP and the structure established.

10. CONCLUSION

Following the environmental and social assessment, it appears that the project will have certain localized negative impacts on the socio-cultural and socio-economic environments in the fibre optic deployment works phase, but also major positive impacts. The potential negative impacts will not have any ecological effect either in the immediate vicinity of the project or in its environs. These impacts will be technically and financially contained within reasonable limits, or sometimes mitigated by adequate corrective measures planned under the proposed ESMP. Measures to enhance the positive impacts will strengthen the scope of the project. The project is considered environmentally and socially acceptable.

SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

REFERENCES:

Parfait Edmond MACKET: Update of the ESMP of the CAB project, CAR Component, Interim Report, August 2017;

Abdelkader Djeflat and Bruno Boidin: “Decentralized Cooperation to Address the Challenges of Sustainable Development”, Sustainable Development and Territories Vol. 1 May 2010, URLDELISLE C.

E. and BOUCHARD M. A.: Impact Assessment and Public Participation: Trends in the Francophone World, University of Montreal Environmental Action Plan 1998, MDG-WSSD Action Plan.

GAETAN A. L. and MICHEL R.: Environmental Impact Assessments, Multi Mondes Publications, Quebec, 2000.UNESCO: Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation (DWSS): Climate Change Adaptation and Water Resources Management in West Africa; Synthesis Report. WRITESHOP, 21-24 February 2007. Dakar. Senegal.

List of Contacts at AfDB:

 Mr. Samatar OMAR ELMI, Senior ICT Engineer, Industrial and Trade Development Department, PITD, [email protected]

 Mr. Patrice HORUGAVYE ; Socio-Economist, Safeguards and Compliance Department; SNSC [email protected]