AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK GROUP PROJECT : CENTRAL AFRICAN BACKBONE NETWORK (CAB) COUNTRY : CONGO SUMMARY ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP) Project Team: S. OMAR ELMI, Senior ICT Engineer, OITC. V. LOSSOMBOT, Financial Management Expert, ORPF2 B. CISSE, Financial Analysist, OWAS1 R. HANNE DIALLO, Procurement Officer, ORPF1 P. NGWALA, Social Protection Specialist, ORTS1 Project M. L. KINANE, Principal Environmentalist, ONEC.3 Team S. BAIOD, Consultant Environmentalist, ONEC.3 Regional Director : Mrs. M. KANGA, Director, ORCE Sector Director : Mr. A. OUMAROU, Director, OITC Division Manager: Mr. N. WILLIAMS, Division Manager, OITC.3 CENTRAL AFRICAN BACKBONE CAB Congo SUMMARY ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP) Project Name : CENTRAL AFRICAN BACKBONE NETWORK (CAB) Country : CONGO Project Number : P-CG-GB0-002 Department : OITC Division: OITC.3 1 INTRODUCTION This document is the summary Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) of the Central African Backbone Network (CAB) Project. At the environmental and social levels, this project is classified in environmental category 2, in accordance with the environmental and social policy requirements of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Congo. The impact assessment was conducted in 2014. This ESMP summary was prepared on the basis of the ESIAs for the Ketta-Djoum road and the CAB project, in accordance with Congo’s environmental and social requirements and AfDB’s Integrated Safeguard System. The project description and rationale are presented first and the options compared in terms of feasibility. The environmental and social impacts are summarized. Improvement and mitigation measures for the negative impacts and the monitoring programme are also presented. Public consultations held during the ESIA and CAB project for the project areas and the project-related additional initiatives are then presented. The conclusion outlines the acceptability of the project, for which an Environmental Compliance Certificate has been issued to Congo. 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND RATIONALE 2.1. Project Rationale The project concerns the implementation of the Central Africa Backbone Network (CAB), recommended by the CEMAC Heads of State Summit, to provide member countries with a high- speed telecommunications network. Congo occupies a strategic position for the development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Central Africa since it shares borders with three coastal countries with land points for submarine cables (SAT3, WACS and ACE). Given the considerable needs in terms of regional and national connectivity and the catalytic effect of ICTs in all the country’s sectors of activity, the recent adoption (2014) of a new national cyber strategy, which is a continuation of that launched in 2008, falls within the framework of the GEPRSP and seeks widespread access by the Congolese population to ICTs. The project falls within the framework of the Growth, Employment and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (GEPRSP). It seeks to assist Congo in developing a real digital economy, with a view to eventually creating enough jobs through improved factors of production. Thus, the implementation of SOPECO’s e-Post projects completes optical fibre (OF) use through the introduction of new products and electronic services. Furthermore, the establishment of the national data centre will help lay physical foundations in terms of storage space and applications hosting for the development of a communicating administration in Congo. Nowadays, there are two main technical alternatives to the use of optical fibre: satellite or radio-relay links. Indeed, it should be noted that the use of satellite links suffers from the combined effect of high access costs and relatively lower service quality than that provided by optical fibre, as well as capacity limitations inherent in the technologies used (even the most recent). Even with the development of new satellite options, such as O3b, using satellites in low orbit, the cost difference remains significant. In fact, satellite remains a back-up technology, enabling operators to make up for the lack of optical fibre (for technical 2 CENTRAL AFRICAN BACKBONE CAB Congo SUMMARY ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP) damage, especially), but at operating costs two to ten times higher than the latter. All in all, satellite is not a sustainable alternative compared to fibre optic. Radio-relay links help to extend the high-speed range, particularly in poorly connected areas. However, although they are useful for point-to-point traffic (for the connection of base stations and collection networks), they cannot handle the huge amount of data that a fibre optic backbone is expected to transmit. The migration of mobile operators in Congo to 3G and even 4G in a near future requires a significant increase in the level of Internet access and the required bandwidth in the country. Therefore, optical fibre is the only option that meets all the requirements (particularly as support for potential international traffic in neighbouring countries). The project objectives are to help to: (i) effectively increase connectivity at national and regional levels, (ii) increase broadband services, (iii) reduce the high cost of telecommunications/ICT on the business climate, (iv) expand the production of goods and services. Consequently, by providing sustainable access to electricity in data centres, the project seeks to improve people’s living conditions, which is one of the priorities expressed by the Congolese Government. 2.2 Project Description As regards infrastructure, the project seeks to extend the optical fibre backbone network over two essential sections in the missing links and interconnections with neighbouring countries (Cameroon and CAR). The project also aims to implement ICT applications and services, and support the Congolese National Institute of the Blind (INAC), the Brazzaville Institute of Deaf Youths (IJSB), the Marien Ngouabi University (UMNG), and women’s empowerment, as well as the promotion of vocational training and development of the indigenous population. Table 1 Project Components No. Component Name Description A.1 – Optical fibre infrastructure construction works over 550 km; A ICT INFRASTRUCTURE A.2 – Monitoring-evaluation of impacts and control and supervision of optical fibre works; (EUR 42.610 million) A.3 – Establishment of a National Data Centre in Kintele. ICT APPLICATIONS AND B.1 – Establishment of an Emergency Alert System (EAS) ; B SERVICES B.2 - Implementation of an e-Administration standard platform; (EUR 8.158 million) B.3 – Implementation of an e-Post platform. C.1 - Studies; C.2 – Technical assistance to the Posts and Electronic Communications Regulatory Authority (ARPCE) ; INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT C.3 – Support for operationalization of the Congolese ICT Agency (ACTIC) ; C AND CAPACITY BUILDING C.4 – Support for the Congolese National Institute of the Blind (INAC) ; (EUR 6.285 million) C.5 – Support for the Brazzaville Institute of Deaf Youths (IJSB) ; C.6 – Support for the Marien Ngouabi University (UMNG) ; C.7 – Support for women’s empowerment; C.8 – Support for the promotion of vocational training; C.9 – Support for development of the indigenous population. 2.3 Congo’s administrative framework The DGE, a structure of the Ministry of Tourism and the Environment (MTE), is the country’s administrative supervisory authority for the environment. This department is responsible for planning and managing environmental resources. 3 CENTRAL AFRICAN BACKBONE CAB Congo SUMMARY ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP) The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPT) is the project executing agency. This Ministry is responsible for preparing and implementing Government policy in the area of posts, telecommunications and information and communication technologies. It is the supervisory authority of: (i) the CAB Project Coordination Unit (PCU-CAB), (ii) the Posts and Electronic Communications Regulatory Authority (ARPCE); (iii) the Congolese ICT Agency (ACTIC), and (iv) the Posts and Savings Corporation of Congo (SOPECO). Other Ministries also take part in the management of the project-related environment: (i) the General Delegation for Major Works (DGGT), which oversees optical fibre installation in the road right-of-way in collaboration with the MPT; (ii) the Ministry of Forestry Economy, which manages and protects ecosystems. 2.4 Description of scope and assessment of sensitivity of host environments 2.4.1 Infrastructure Component It will be implemented on a band ranging between 20 and 50 cm over a distance of between 0 and 5m from the roadside edge, thus remaining strictly within the rights-of-way of all roads carrying the OF. However, repairs for damaged property, such as fence walls and slabs found in the public domain, are likely to be made on the Ouesso-Pokola-Bomassa road (CAR br). Implementation will seek to provide suitable characteristics and comply with the project connections. The supply and installation of solar, office automation and IT equipment in women’s centres, community digital centres (CDC) and the Sembé community radio station do not have any impact on the environments. These facilities all exist. The only impact relates to wastes from supplied equipment packaging and the recovery of obsolete equipment on the spot. 2.4.2 Industrialization Component The e-Post sub-components (Hybrid Mail and Electronic Document Management), the e- banking project, and the Market and Climate Information System