Executive Summary-Base-Nyagatare road project PROJECT: TRANSPORT SECTOR SUPPORT PROJECT: BASE-GICUMBI-NYAGATARE ROAD (SECTION BASE - GICUMBI-RUKOMO: 51.5KM) COUNTRY: REPUBLIQUE DU RWANDA SUMMARY OF THE RESETLEMENT ACTION PLAN Philippe MUNYARUYENZI, Senior Transport Engineer, OITC.2/RWFO MODESTE L. KINANE, Senior Environmental Specialist, ONEC.3 Justin MURARA, Chief Socio-Economist, OSHD1 J.P MEGNE EKONGA, Transport Economist, OITC.1/CDFO A.M DIALLO , Procurement Officer, ORPF.1/RWFO Project A.DIOMANDE, Financial Management expert, EARC/ORPF2 Team E.ISIMBI, Disbursement Assistant Sectorial Director : G. NEGATU, EARC Regional Director : A. OUMAROU, OITC Division Manager : A. BABALOLA, OITC-2 Executive Summary-Base-Nyagatare road project Project Title: TRANSPORT SECTOR SUPPORT PROJECT: BASE-GICUMBI-NYAGATARE ROAD (SECTION BASE - GICUMBI-RUKOMO: 51.5KM) Project Number: P-RW-DB0-014 Country: Republic of Rwanda Department: OITC Introduction The strategy of the Ministry of Infrastructure supports the overall objectives of Vision 2020 of the Government of Rwanda (GoR) with an action on the upgrading of transport infrastructure, particularly roads, by planning a number of action of rehabilitation, modernization and maintenance. In this context, the proposed Base –Byumba- Nyagatare road to be rehabilitated is part of the policy of GoR strategy in improving transport infrastructure to promote integration among the regions in the national economic space and stimulate exchanges between regions, the ultimate objective being income growth of the population, poverty reduction and improvement of living conditions. GoR, in line with vision 2020 and the transport sector policy has applied for a loan from the African Development Fund (ADF) towards the cost of this project. Part of the proceeds of this loan shall be utilised to finance the rehabilitation of the Nyagatare-Byumba–Base. Consequently, in accordance with the environmental screening guidelines of the Africa Develoment Bank (AfDB), projects involving resettlement of a large number of people require the preparation of a full resettlement action plan (RAP) which summary shall be published on its website. The summary of this RAP has been prepared to comply with this requirement. 1. Description of the project, project area and area of influence The sector goal of the project is to contribute to opening up the country and promote trade between the northern and eastern parts of Rwanda, through a direct and permanent link between the cities of Rubavu, Musanze, Gicumbi and Nyagatare. Specifically, the project aims to: (i) improve the level of service on this road section and the living conditions of people in the project area of influence and; (ii) strengthen the capacity of the Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA) in planning and programming of road maintenance. The project will consist of upgrading of the existing gravel surfaced road to bituminous standards following design criteria. While the alignment of the existing road will be retained Executive Summary-Base-Nyagatare road project to the extent possible there will be some improvement to the horizontal alignment, vertical alignment where appropriate, arrangement of junctions and inbuilt safety measures. A road width of 10 m is proposed as follows: 7 m carriageway (two lanes each 3.5 m wide) with an additional 3.5 m wide parking lane in built-up areas; Paved shoulders on either sides of the road each 1.5 m in the rural area and 2.0 m wide in trading centres The Project is located in the Eastern and Northern Province and crosses four districts namely Gakenke, Rulindo, Burera, and Gicumbi (figure 1). Figure 1: Project Location According to the 2012 population census data, the study area has a population of 1,328,569 inhabitants representing 12.5% of the country’s population. The population density is an average of 479 people per km2 which is higher than the national average of average of 353. Gicumbi, Burera and Rulindo are the most populated areas as compared to the other districts. Despite adequate geographical distribution of health centers with an average of one center per sector, the population in the project area have some difficulties in accessing health care because of limited financial resources and the remoteness of health facilities without proper Executive Summary-Base-Nyagatare road project access roads. The later contributes to discourage relocation of health practitioners in the area. For instance, there is only 1 doctor for 46 000 people in Gicumbi and the situation worsen in Nyagatare where there is only 1 doctor for 72 863 inhabitants. The literacy rate is relatively good with over 80% in the Nyagatare and Gicumbi Districts (Avg considering the national average is 75%). In Gatsibo districts and Rulindo the average is lower than the national average with respectively 58 and 71%. The review of the main socio-economic indicators indicates that: (i) the average annual income is estimated to 1,700,000 FRW, which represents less than $ 2 per person per day; (ii) over 70% of this income comes from farming activities, which confirms the position of agricultural activity as main source of revenue. The supply of drinking water for the majority of the population in the area is mainly provided by the rivers and shallow wells. 2. Potential Impacts Impact zone of influence for primary (direct) impacts was taken as width of the road reserve (15 m) from road centerline and secondary (indirect) impacts were considered over a distance of 2 km from road boundary. Impacts anticipated include relocation of PAPs and removal or destruction of temporary, semi-permanent and permanent residential and commercial structures. However, except through densely inhabited areas such as Nyagatare and Gicumbi, the existing road mostly traverses rural settings. Most of the right of way is available since the project will follow the existing road alignment with some few corrections required to meet the road speed and safety standards. While the alignment of the existing road will be retained to the extent possible there will be some improvement to the horizontal alignment, vertical alignment where appropriate, arrangement of junctions and inbuilt safety measures. 2.1 Impacts on land To determine the affected Surface area (tableau 1), ArcGIS Desktop Version 10.1 was used. To get the affected area, we used a buffer zone of 12 m counted from the centerline of the road for each side of road way. Tableau 1: Affected land area per sector District Sector Affected Land (ha) Burera Ruhunde 1.238 Gakenke Gashenyi 1.259 Gicumbi Miyove 14.971 Nyankenke 6.693 Byumba 13.215 Kageyo 10.456 Rulindo Base 16.471 Cyungo 11.05 Rukozo 0.601 Kisaro 13.676 Total 89.63 Executive Summary-Base-Nyagatare road project 2.2. Impact on structures The road being a linear project, it was observed that it is possible for some affected people to rebuild affected structures by moving a small distance behind the damaged buildings. Tableau 2: Number of affected building Districts Sectors Number of affected buildings Built area (m2) Kageyo 0 0 GICUMBI Byumba 11 411 Nyankenke 16 874.5 Miyove 95 3568.5 Base 132 6069.15 RULINDO Cyungo 1 20 Rukozo 0 0 Kisaro 72 4110.5 GAKENKE Gashenyi 47 2277 BURERA Ruhunde 2 55.5 Total 376 17386.15 Evidently, this will reduce the adverse socio-economic effects of resettlement. This is possible within the time period allowed after the compensation and the vacation notice to the affected persons, of at least three months. The ability to remain in the same area by moving slightly backward will as well minimize the loss of income and business losses. 3. Organizational Responsibility 3.1 Decision of expropriation for public utility purposes: As per law n° 18/2007 of 19/04/2007 on expropriation for public utility purposes and in the case of an operation that involves more than one District, the decision of expropriation for public purposes falls under the responsibility of the Minister having the lands (MINIRENA) in his powers, and is taken by order of the Prime Minister upon a proposal presented by the Land Commission at the national level. 3.2 Approval of the valuation and compensation report: Pending the establishment of the Land Commission at the national level, the monitoring and approval of the expropriation for public utility are currently provided by the Ministry that has the lands within its mandate. Thus, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MINIRENA) is in charge of approving the evaluation of built assets, land properties and agricultural properties, and the operations of public information and monitoring of expropriations. 3.3 Implementation of the RAP: The implementation of the RAP will be done by a "Committee of the Resettlement Action Plan Implementation" sets by RTDA which will comprise representatives from the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA), of MINIRENA, the concerned districts and sectors as well as representatives of PAPs. Concerned districts will be also involved in verifying identity of PAPs and grievance redress. RTDA initiates and takes lead of the process by: (i) Contacting all concerned districts through MINALOC, for the implementation of the RAP; (ii) Informing all the project affected people about the implementation of the RAP; (iii) liaising with MINIRENA, MINALOC, etc. to mobilize the Committee of the Resettlement Action Plan Implementation. Executive Summary-Base-Nyagatare road project There is also a deep interest in involving NGOs and civil society associations in the process of the RAP implementation to assist displaced