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PROJECT : CENTRAL AFRICA BACKBONE (CAB) PROJECT – PHASE 1.

COUNTRY : CAMEROON

SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

(ESMP)

Project

Team

Project Team : S. OMAR ELMI, Senior ICT Engineer, OITC.3

T. MOURGUES, Expert Financial Analyst, OPSM.3

C. DJEUFO, Procurement Officer, ORPF.1

G. MEKA ABESSOLO, Financial Management Expert,

ORPF.2

M.L. KINANE, Senior Environmentalist ONEC.3

S. BAIOD, Environmentalist Consultant, ONEC.3

P.H. SANON, Socio-Economist Consultant, ONEC.3

Regional Director: Mrs. M. KANGA, Director ORCE

Sector Manager: Mr. A. OUMAROU, Director OITC

Country Representative : Mr R. KANE, Resident Representative CMFO

Division Manager: Mr N. WILLIAMS, Division Manager OITC.3

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK GROUP

CAB phase 1 SUMMARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

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Project Name : CENTRAL AFRICA BACKBONE (CAB) PROJECT – PHASE 1

Country : CAMEROON

Project Number : P-CM-GB0-002 Department : OITC Division:

OITC.3

1 INTRODUCTION

This document is a summary of the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for the

Project. In environmental terms, this project is classified in the environmental category 2. In

accordance with the environmental policy requirements of the African Development Bank

(AfDB) and of the country, the environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA) were

prepared in 2009 for roads Sangmélima Ntam-fr Congo and Kumba Akagbé, as well as for the

fibre optic for Bertoua -Batouri - Kentzou and Bamenda-Ekok, updated in 2014.

This summary was prepared on the basis of the ESIA for each of the 4 road links in accordance

with the environmental requirements of Cameroon and the AfDB’s Integrated Safeguard System.

Project description and rationale are presented first, followed by the legal and institutional

framework in Cameroon. The description of the main environmental conditions of the project is

also presented as well as the options compared for their technical, economic, environmental and

social feasibility.

The environmental and social impacts are summarized and unavoidable impacts identified. The

improvement and mitigation measures of the negative impacts and the monitoring program are

captured. Public consultations held during the ESIA and the CAB project in the implementation

areas are exposed in addition to additional initiatives related to the Project. The conclusion points

to the acceptability of the project for which the Environmental Compliance Certificates are issued

in Cameroon.

2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND RATIONALE

The project is about the implementation of the Central Africa Backbone (CAB) as recommended

by the CEMAC Heads of State Summit, and is aimed to provide member countries with high-

speed telecommunications network. Such network shall l consist of land-based fibre optic

connections, linking several central African countries and providing the sub-region with a digital

broadband access to the global network from the landing points of the submarine cables. It is

designed to improve quantitatively and qualitatively and at affordable prices, the supply of

telecommunications services and information and communication technology (ICT). Its stated

objectives are to contribute to: i) actually increase connectivity at national and regional level, ii)

enhance the broadband services, iii) reduce the high cost of telecommunications/ICT on business

climate and, iv) expand the production of goods and services.

Also, by providing sustainable electricity access to the data centres, the project aims to improve

the living conditions of the population, as one of the priorities expressed by the Government of

Cameroon in the 2010- 2020 Growth and Employment Strategy Paper (GESP), which focuses on

accelerated growth, formal job creation and poverty reduction.

A) At infrastructure level, the project includes: i) the extension of the National Backbone over 4

key sections among the missing links and the interconnections with neighbouring countries; ii) the

supply of solar equipment for Public Community Telecentres (PCTs), Centres for Education and

Community Action Centre (CECA) and Centres for the Promotion of Women (CPF) through

deployment of photovoltaic solar panels.

B) In terms of ICT applications and services, the project provides for: i) the establishment of a

Market and Climate Information System (MCIS) for access to crop and livestock products prices,

and to weather forecasts through PCT and CECA; ii) the implementation of e-post and e-Banking

components to enhance financial inclusion for rural populations, in particular through the network

of Campost post offices on the Cameroonian territory.


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C) In terms of institutional support, the project offers seven (07) feasibility studies on both

infrastructure and industrialization of ICTs. It also includes a component on strengthening

capacities of national key stakeholders as well as support to the PCU-CAB-Cameroon.

Table 1 Project Components

No. Component of

Amount Allocated

Description

A FIBER OPTIC

INFRASTRUCTURE

20,339 MUA

A.1- Implementation work of fibre optic infrastructure,

A.2 - Actions and measures to mitigate environmental and social impacts

(including financing PAR),

A.3 - Control and monitoring of fibre optic work.

B ICT APPLICATIONS

& SERVICES

7,885 MUA

B.1- Implementation of e-post and e-Banking,

B.2 Establishment of a Market and Climate Information System (MCIS).

C INSTITUTIONAL

SUPPORT &

CAPACITY

BUILDING

5,413 MUA

C.1- Studies,

C.2- Technical assistance - Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ART),

C.3- Capacity building for PCTs, CECA and CPFs,

C.4- Setting up a skills development centre in fibre optic at the National School

of Posts and Telecommunications (ENSPT),

C.5- Support for women empowerment.

D PROJECT

MANAGEMENT

1,994 MUA

D.1 - Support for UCP / CAB-Cameroon,

D.2- Support for the operation of the various committees,

D.3 - Accounting and financial audit of the project,

2.3 National Administrative Framework

The administrative tutelage for the environment is the Cameroon Ministry of Environment, Nature

Conservation and Sustainable Development (MINEPDED). This department is responsible for the

planning and management of environmental resources.

MINPOSTEL is the project developer. This Ministry is responsible for the development and

implementation of the Government. Policy on postal, telecommunications and information and

communications technology. It exercises supervision over: i) the CAB Project Coordination Unit

(UCP CAB), (ii) the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (TRA); (Iii) the National Agency

for Information and Communication Technologies (ANTIC); (Iv) the Cameroon

Telecommunications (CAMTEL); (V) the Cameroon Postal Services (CAMPOST).

Other ministries are also involved in the project-related environment management: (i) the Ministry

of Public Works (MINTP) which oversees the incorporation into the right-of-way in connection

with MINPOSTEL; (Ii) the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) which provides

management and protection of the ecosystems; (iii) the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural

Development (MINADER).

As part of the implementation of the Market and Climate Information System (MCIS), the

Directorate of National Meteorology in line with its powers will be responsible among other

things for: (i) the collection, processing and dissemination of weather information; (Ii) the

establishment of climate information and weather forecasts; (Iii) the monitoring of the weather

and climate. There will also be a close collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and

Rural Development (MINADER), and particularly the Directorate of Agricultural and Statistics

Surveys (DESA) and the Directorate of National Meteorology through the signing of a

memorandum of understanding to outline the institutional framework of their collaboration

towards operationalizing the MCIS. Moreover, it shall also be provided a support to the said

directorate in terms of data collection equipment through the use of ICTs (and mobile telephony

in particular). This shall add on to a vast emergency telecommunications development program

piloted by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications with funding from the Exim Bank of

China. Finally, information on agricultural and livestock markets is the responsibility of the

DESA housed in the MINADER.


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2.4 Description of the Scope and Evaluation of the sensitivity of the Host Areas

2.4.1 Infrastructure Component

It will be implemented on a band ranging between 20 and 50 cm at a distance between 0 and 5m

from the roadside edge, thereby strictly remaining within the rights of way on all of the roads that

carry the Fibber Optic.

However, expropriation of property in the public domain may be carried out on the road Bertoua-

Batouri - Kentzou. The implementation is performed in order to provide the suitable

characteristics and comply with the service system provided for the project.

The Supply and installation of solar, office and computer equipment for PCT, CPF, CECA and

DAA have no way an impact on the environment. All these facilities exist. The only impact

relates only to waste from supplied equipment packaging, and recovery of obsolete equipment in

place.

2.4.2 ICT Applications & Services Component

The implementation of the e-Post project (Hybrid Mail and Electronic Document Management),

the e-banking project and the Markets and Climate Information System are projects said to be ''

soft ''. They are not associated with any physical negative impact. However, they will generate

expected impact and outcomes of the project.

3. POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION AND IMPROVEMENT

MEASURES

3.1 Negative Impacts

The impact assessment is carried out on the deployment of fibre optic activities, together with the

activities in civil works when necessary on existing rights of way as per the different phases of the

project: (1) Preparatory phase; i) optimization/materialization of the route and evaluation of

occupations and assets; ii) Bringing in of equipment and installation of the site; iii) Labour

recruitment. (2) Work phase; i) trenching with storage of cuttings; ii) Excavation and construction

of rooms (terminals); iii) Duct laying and passage of the fibre optic cables; iv) Backfilling of

trenches; v) Deployment of the fibre optic, vi) Movement of project vehicle’s ; vii) waste

management viii) Deployment of solar panels. (3) Operating phase: i) PCT connections and

configurations in the area; ii) Network maintenance and monitoring; iii) Physical presence of fibre

optic cables.

Each impact was identified from the causal links determined by the interaction between the

components of the environment and the project activities. The matrix below (Table 2) points to

such interaction with the environmental components.

Table 2: Interaction Matrix


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Components of the environment

Biophysical Human

Air

Nat

ura

l’ r

esou

rces

Waters Soils

Bio

topes

So

cio

econ

om

ic

aspec

ts

Liv

ing

env

iro

nm

ent

Her

itag

e an

d

infr

astr

uct

ure

surf

ace

Wat

ers

de

Gro

un

dw

ater

So

il

Sub-s

oil

MAIN ACTIVITIES Em

issi

on o

f G

HG

Air

qual

ity

Sound M

anag

emen

t

Mea

n a

nnual

flo

w o

f th

e host

envir

on

men

t

Wat

er q

ual

ity

Aquif

ers

char

acte

rist

ics

Wat

er q

ual

ity

sensi

tivit

y t

o e

rosi

on

Qual

ity a

nd

soil

use

l

Sta

bil

ity

Flo

ra

Fau

na

Confl

icts

Loca

l ec

onom

y /

jobs

Hea

lth /

Saf

ety

Nois

e

Odors

Lan

dsc

ape

Qual

ity

P C

ult

ura

l an

d a

rchae

olo

gic

al

her

itag

es

Mat

eria

l good

Publi

c fa

cili

ties

an

d

infr

astr

uct

ure

PREPARATORY PHASE

Route delineation and assessment of

assets and occupations

m

D

m

D

m

D

m

D

Supply of equipment and site

installations mT mT

m

T

Recruitment and presence of labor M

T mT

m

T

WOORK PHASE

Clearing of the trenches and chambers right of ways

mT

mT M

T mT

m

T

Trenches / storage of excavated

material and construction of

chambers

m

T mT

m

T mT mT

M

T mT

m

T

m

T

Laying of ducts and passage of fibre optic cables

M

T mT

m

T

Backfilling of trenches m

T

m

T mT

Circulation of project vehicles m

T

m

T

M

T

m

T

Installation of equipment and solar

panels

m

T

m

D

Waste Management m

T mT mT mT

m

T

OPERATION PHASE

Connection in the area M

D

M

D MD

Solar energy supply M

D

m

D

MD

MD

Implementation of ICT tools M

D

M

D

M

D

M

D

M

D

M

D

Maintenance and monitoring M

D

MD

MD

Legend: Low negative

High negative

Low positive

High positive

m: minor

M:

Significan

t

T : temporary

D : final

3.1.1 Preparatory phase

The laying of FO cable routes will not go without affecting some property, specifically on the

Bertoua- Batouri –Kentzou road link. There is no other property impacted on the remaining

selected roads. Also, the supply of equipment and materials may disturb local populations and

could therefore be a potential source of conflict. Such risk should not be overshadowed.

3.1.2 Work Phase

On the bio-physical environment and during work deployment phase, the civil works involving

trenching, storage of excavated material, laying of ducts and backfilling will generate many risks:

i) obstruction of the drainage systems of the FO cable routes, ii) a trap for the crossing terrestrial

wildlife as well as livestock, iii) water pollution through the drainage and outlets.


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On the socio-cultural : The civil works will along the roads and the work sites bring about risks

associated with increased traffic accident, noise pollution due to transport vehicles and machinery

during working hours. Moreover, there is the risk of a very spotted destruction of food crops in

the relevant urban and rural areas.

During the course of the work, site personnel could adopt disrespectful behaviours which respect

to the customs. Moreover, the presence of company employees with relatively high monetary

resources could promote moral depravity (prostitution, banditry, etc.) which can lead to increased

prevalence of STIs and AIDS.

On the socio-economic environment: The project will directly impact on some buildings made

of local materials in the crossed cities and in various villages only on the Bertoua - Batouri -

Ketzou main road link. This mainly includes paving at the crossing of households, gardens,

kitchens etc. For the few buildings involved, and in the situation where people are attached to

their land of origin and do not accept to leave, any displacements will be moving several metres

away with respect to the right of way. The resettlement plan will therefore consist in a

compensation procedure for property destruction in FO right of way. Such funds will be used by

the compensated people to repair or rebuild their property and / or restore their livelihood a few

meters back from the right of way.

During the work, the presence of transport vehicles and machinery will locally limit the flow of

traffic, with highly localized and temporary consequences on the transportation of goods and

services.

3.1.3 Operating Phase

No negative impact is identified. The signal passing through the fibre optic network is neutral,

without radiation or nuisance of any kind.

3.2 Positive impact

During construction phase, the project will have beneficial socio-economic impacts, offering

job opportunities for local rural youth: (i) direct jobs on construction sites, and (ii) indirect jobs

related to development around workers camps of some commercial activities (sale of agricultural

and handicraft products, food sale).

During the operating phase, the beneficial impacts of the deployment of the fibre optic to the

physical environment will all be linked to schemes financed by the Project: (i) the establishment

of a maintenance system to perpetuate the fibre cable network: (ii) the establishment of

sustainable electrification using solar panels and equipment at PCT, CECA, CPFF and DAA will

contribute a little bit to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

Project beneficial impacts on the biological environment will be linked (i) the opening up of

information and early warning system it provides, and which like the agricultural services will

allow Water and Forests officers to expand their knowledge of the areas they manage together

with other sectoral services.

3.3 Mitigation and Enhancement

Before the work phase

In the bidding document for the work, the Administration shall include environmental clauses,

which main requirements in terms of environmental protection shall speak to: (i) the rehabilitation

and repairs of the sites (ii) waste management requirements, (ii) the time limit requirements for

openings / closings of trenches (civil engineering) and deposits thereon. The main requirements

on the protection of the human environment are about : (iii) a preferential recruitment mechanism


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of local staff; (Iv) the implementation of safety regulations (installation of barriers, signage etc.)

for local populations and users; (V) the enforcement of labour regulations and the wearing by site

staff of individual protective equipment (gloves, dust masks, anti-noise helmets, etc.).

Before installing and setting up life bases and construction sites, the company must seek prior

approval of the project management and CAB – PCU for all 4 sites, a travel plan and possibly site

installation and an environmental protection plan for the site in accordance with the

environmental guidelines of the existing legislation in Cameroon. This plan will include: (i) the

installation of life bases and material deposit in the vicinity of the localities, such as PCT so

allowing MINPOSTEL to own the infrastructure at the end of the work; (ii) the recovery of

electronic waste (obsolete equipment) of the structures to be equipped and processing: (iii) the

recovery of inert waste and their allocation to local authorities that can use them in their daily

activities and maintenance of houses (wood treatment, reels, in PHED, etc.); (I)v the organization

of the collection and disposal of used items (filters, batteries, empty containers, etc.)

Before starting works, the project manager must proceed on the basis of implementing studies

and picketing on the ground: (i) the identification of construction owners, graves, crops, fruit trees

and other property that may be damaged; (ii) the definition of access to the property which must

be maintained during construction and / or returned after the event; (iii) the establishment of

public utility folder (DUP) and for negotiations of the means and amounts of compensation with

the collaboration of local authorities and according to the existing legislation.

In order to mitigate the project's impacts on the property of neighbouring communities without

compromising the technical efficiency, MINPOSTEL elected for a route which liberation from the

right of way will concern only: 22 single screeds, 5 Special screeds, 2 walls and 4 stairs. Such

optimized route avoids the destruction of 43 houses and two mosques.

During Work Phase

The mitigation measures supported by the Administration shall include: (i) the organization by

specialized NGOs of information campaigns and awareness of technical services, schoolchildren,

local populations, traditional leaders, the authorities (local, regional and national), users,

transporter and local unions, using all possible media. The campaigns will focus on project

components also focus on: (i) security issues, risks and finally on global climate change (mainly

for young people in schools, clubs and youth centre); (Ii) the prohibition for companies of the

consumption, transport by construction vehicles and trade in bush meat and timber by the

company staff; (Iii) the promotion of local staff recruitment and sub-contracting with local NGOs

during activities of sensitization for instance, or the collection of climate, agriculture as well as

forestry, and wildlife data.

During the course of civil works and deployment of FO, the company will ensure that the

terrestrial and aquatic wildlife and water resources are protected along all roads and sections

carrying the FO (i) by implementing preventive measures and techniques against bush fires and

poaching; (Ii) identifying cattle crossing corridors.

Furthermore, the company shall respect the living environment of local populations: (i) by setting

up mobile signage in the work areas, especially at night, and traffic signs and speed limit signs in

dangerous places; (ii) rehabilitating the access of residents and property impacted by the work.

This includes preservation of the culture and the health of local populations; (iii) ensuring respect

by staff of local customs and traditions; and (iv) providing periodic health checks of their staff.

During Operating Phase

In order to reinforce the positive impacts on the human environment, the enhancement measures

will focus on the following aspects: (i) Support for the women empowerment through the

provision of additional IT and ICT equipment as well as the delivery of diploma courses

(component D); (ii) Establishment of a fibre optic skills development centre at the National

School of Posts and Telecommunications (ENSPT) (Component C); (iii) ICT applications and

services (component B).

Ultimately, the project will generate beneficial impacts during operation.


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3.4 Residual Impacts

Residual impacts are those impacts experienced after implementing mitigation measures at the

end of the work. They are all considered positive.

3.5 Cumulative and Cross-border Impacts

Cumulative impacts are those resulting from the combined action of activities related to the

project itself and related actions and / or projects or in the same area of influence. These mainly

include cumulative impacts generated by: (i) the modernization and asphalting of the Batouri

Bertoua-- Kentzou road link which occasionally generate fibre recovery and shift. In this

perspective, the coordination with the services of the Ministry of Public Works will focus on

measures for doubling and connecting the fibre optic between the rooms prior to neutralizing the

first one. To do so, the procurement of an additional quantity is required, the objective being not

to interrupt the signal. The budgets for these procurements will be picked up from the road

asphalting project; (Ii) the Mbalam- Kribi mining railway project, in which close coordination

between CAM IRON and MINTP is required to pool the corridor passage for both railway as

fibre optic, the Lele -Ntam and Mbalam section ; (Iii) future complementary ICT projects: CAB

Cameroon fibre optic deployment the Foumban - Tibati - Tignère - Ngaoundere, Bamenda -

Fundong - Wum - Bamenda, Ngaoundere - Touboro road links and in neighbouring countries

particularly in Congo, CAR and Chad.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL RISK MANAGEMENT and CLIMATE CHANGE

4.1 Environmental risks associated with the project

Pollution is the main environmental risk and it result from mismanagement of waste from works

such as pollutants (storage, transport and use). In this regard, the specifications shall comprise a

waste management plan. It will include the recovery of obsolete electronic waste of PCT and

CECA to be equipped by the project.

During the deployment phase of the FO cable, there is another risk related to exposure to road

accidents. Therefore, safety measures, awareness and training are provided to locally recruited

staff, people, relevant staff, competent departments, including civil protection, gendarmerie, forest

guards, etc.

These measures relate to: (i) awareness and training of site staff and ad hoc teams from the

neighbouring communities in emergency responses; (ii) the safety measures to be complied with

in the dangerous or hazardous zones; (Iii) installation of communications and rapid evacuation

equipment; (iv) establishment of contracts with workers health care services and health centres;

(v) development and supply of the local pharmacies; (vi) awareness of the local population on the

prevention against health-related risks and road safety; (vii) organization of epidemiological

surveys to assess the project's impacts on the environment and on human health.

4.2 Climate Change

The main climate risks likely to impact the project in Cameroon are: (i) water erosion due to

increased rainfalls and; (Ii) large fluctuations in temperature. The adaptation options regarding the

first risk are: selection of a suitable trench depth on all roads (usually exceed a meter with a 0.3 m

thickness). Furthermore, the trenches are broken down into three strata: (i) stratum containing

ducts: At least 20 cm height of compacted sand or loose soil and similar flexible consistency will

cover the various ducts or trenches; (Ii) Stratum between the warning grid and sand: this layer will

be achieved by compacting the excavated materials; (Iii) Final layer of backfill compaction

achieved by excavated materials. The second risk will prompt among other things the choice of

the use of HDPE tube (instead of the standard PVC) on all routes due to its better chemical and

mechanical properties (non-corrosive, resistance to shock, creep, cracking and abrasion, ductile,


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etc.) thereof ensuring greater sustainability to the links so put in place. Concerning the used of

fibre optic, the requirements are the same in physico-mechanical terms (insensitivity to various

chemical and mechanical agents, mould resistance, temperature differences, etc.).

A data centre / PCT type requires on average 40kWh per day. Knowing that 13 PCT, CECA and

CPF will be powered by solar panels under this project, the total energy produced will amount to

190,000 kWh / year.

The project will help reduce the carbon footprint in the power sector in Cameroon which is 20%

dependent on fossil fuels for power generation (80% by hydroelectric plants). In terms of quantity

of CO2 avoided, a 2011 study by Brander et al (2011) estimated the grid emission factor for

Cameroon at 0.25 t CO2 / MWh. The 190,000 kWh produced by data centres thus represent 47.5 t

of CO2 avoided annually.

In addition, the technology, especially ICT, can help substantially reduce greenhouse gas

emissions. Indeed, the implementation of e-post and e-banking projects, the replacement of

transfers by data transmissions reduce the movement of people estimated at 400,000 km / year.

Aware that the Cameroonian car fleet consists of 70% diesel vehicles emitting 200 g CO2 / km,

and 30% petrol motor emitting 150 gCO2 / km, so the displacements avoided represent 74 tCO2 /

year. A total emission of 121.5 t CO2 will thus be avoided.

5. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MONITORING PROGRAM

5.1 Organization of environmental and social surveillance and monitoring

Under this project, a monitoring program will first ensure that the mitigation and improvement

measures proposed in the ESMP will be effectively implemented in each of the project phases

(installation, construction and operation).

It shall consist of: (i) the Project Management (MINPOSTEL), represented in Cameroon by the

ADB projects Implementation Unit (CAB PCU) as Delegate Project Manager and getting an

Environmentalist on board. (ii) 4 environmentalists per site, designated by the Company

performing the civil works and the deployment of FO to implement environmental measures

during the construction phase. (iii) The Project Management or the technical assistance for

implementation control and monitoring, which also comprises an environmentalist,(iv) Local

Environmental Monitoring Committees, Decentralized structures of the Ministry of the

Environment and Sustainable Development (MINEPDED) and the Directorate of Roads of the

Ministry of Public Works.

The surveillance will seek to verify the effectiveness of: (i) measures proposed environmental and

social measures including mitigation; (ii) the conditions established in the various legal and

regulatory instruments; (Iii) the commitments of the delegate project manager and project

manager; (Iv) the requirements of other laws and regulations on hygiene and public health,

management of the living environment of people,

During the operating phase, the monitoring program will aim to ensure that mitigation or

compensation measures for negative impacts do play the role that was expected, but also to ensure

that the expected positive impacts from project operation will actually come public.

The main objectively verifiable indicators to be used for the monitoring of these positive impacts

are: (i) linear network; (ii) number of people online due to easier ICT access; (iv) the number of

new shops (formal and informal) opened by men and by women; (v) the number of jobs created

directly and indirectly and occupied by men and women; (vi) the number of equipped and

functional infrastructure; (vii) the number of boys and girls initiated and trained in ICT

technologies and services.


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The main indicators of the negative impacts and the implementation of mitigation measures are:

(i) effectiveness of the insertion of environmental clauses in tender documents and execution files;

(Ii) effective waste disposal systems from construction work; (Iii) number of accidents at

workplace; (iv) number of complaints received and processed during the work.

Figure 1: Organization of the CAB Cameroon Project

5.2 Programme Cost

The total ESMP cost includes, in addition to the costs of Resettlement Plan, ISC campaigns, plans

under the responsibility of the company, provisions for repairs of "other networks as well as the

fees of the environmentalist of the Project Management. It amounts to almost CFA francs 475.5

million, or nearly 725,000 euros. The distribution by road link is presented in Table 3 below.

MINPOSTEL

UCP-CAB /

environmentalists

Company

Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Road

Bamenda- Ndop-

Road

Mamfe- Eykok

Road Sangmelima-

Ntam

Road

Bertoua- Kentzou

CLSE 1 CLSE 2 CLSE 2 CLSE 2 MINEPDED

CL compens.

PROJECT FO Equipment

TCP, CEAC et CPFF FO

Installation of solar panel

GC + FO Equipment TCP, CEAC et CPFF

GC + FO

Project Mangt Cellule

Environmental and Social


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Table 3: Breakdown of the ESMP Costs

Items

Road links Cost

Kumba -

Mamfe-ekok

Bamenda -

Ndop-kumbo

Samgmelima-

Mintom -Ntam

Bertoua-

Batouri-

kentzou In cfaf

Compensation for PAR - - - 58 718 000 58 718 000

ISC Campaigns 40 000 000 26 000 000 50 000 000 26 000 000 142 000 000

Detours/signalling plan 6 500 000 5 000 000 3 000 000 5 000 000 19 500 000

HSE Plan 5 000 000 5 000 000 5 000 000 5 000 000 20 000 000

Waste management plan 6 000 000 6 000 000 6 000 000 6 000 000 24 000 000

provision for network maintenance - - 11 800 000 7 400 000 19 200 000

Focal point environment CAB PCU 22 500 000 22 500 000 22 500 000 22 500 000 90 000 000

Monitoring E&S Unit of Project

Management 12 000 000 30 000 000 18 000 000 42 000 000 102 000 000

92 000 000 94 500 000 116 300 000 172 618 000 475 418 000

6. PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION

The ESIA was conducted based on a participatory approach, which had been initiated in the

upstream stage of the project at the validation of its terms of reference by the groups concerned.

Its final result is on the one hand the exploitation of basic documents, digitized topographical

maps and field visits, and on the other interviews with representatives of various technical

departments of the ministries concerned, NGOs , private operators, socio-professional groups,

coastal population, authorities and local authorities, village chiefs and opinion leaders. Before

each meeting, the project content was presented to the consulted group in terms of its economic,

social, cultural, environmental issues, as well as mitigation and enhancement measures. Thus, the

opinions and comments from the populations and target groups have been captured into this

summary.

Given the high number of villages and hamlets located along the roads, the following

consultations were held; i) in July and August 2013 for the Batouri- Bertoua -Kentzou road (546

people including 27 women); ii) in September 2013 for the Bamenda- Mamfe –Ekok road, (390

persons including 98 women); iii) in December 2014 for the Kumba- Mamfe road (136 persons

including 30 women); iv) in December 2014 for the Sangmélima- Ntam road (262 people

including 88 women).

At each time, the project has won the buy-in from the populations in a development perspective.

These consultations resulted in an analysis of positions, interests and the influence of different

stakeholders proposing strategies for their involvement and participation in the project

implementation. The expectations and suggestions are summarized in Table 4 below. They were

captured in the project under complementary initiatives and security and information

arrangements in the company specifications. Moreover, all concerns regarding the compensations

are addressed in the resettlement plan annexed to the ESMP. The provisions on the aspects

relating to recruitment of local labour are included in the tender document to encourage

companies in this direction. About the concerns focussed on the crossing of watercourses and

generally the water erosion risk, further information is provided in the climate change section.

Such questions and concerns were discussed with a summary of the responses in Table 5 below

.

Table 4: Expectations of the people consulted


12

Expectations/Suggestions

- Safeguards for children and livestock with respect to the trenching;

- Dissemination of the regulations governing the protection of heritage and compensation of property in

Cameroon;

- Project support at social level, including integration and direct or indirect employment of mainly young

people.

- Development of a grid of positive and negative impacts for better understanding of the populations;

- Installation of safety devices around the trenches;

- Project support at social level in terms of youth employment especially;

- At village crossing, laying fibre optics within the 48 hours following the opening of the trenches to limit the

risk of accidents;

- Information on the exact route of the fibre optic;

- Strengthening the protection of the fibre optic at the bridges to prevent cable being stolen or vandalism;

- Information on compensation procedures;

- Recruitment of local labour.

- Information on the exact route of the fibre optic;

- Information on compensation procedures;

- Recruitment of local labour

Table 5: Responses

Communities’ concerns Responses

Risk of property, crops

and grave destruction,

although the project is housed in the road’s right of way and that zero risk does

not exist, if it happens that after the implementation technical study the passage

of the fibre optic is not within the right of way, and in case a given property

should be affected, there are legal provisions for compensation of the people

impacted by the projects declared of public utility.

Risk of accidents at

trenches level,

this is the most significant risk during the work. Emphasis will be placed on

raising awareness during construction. Furthermore steps could be taken for

their crossing to minimize the risk of falls. For livestock, animal migration

corridors will be delineated.

Potential project

negative impacts on

populations, biodiversity

and environment in the

long term,

The project has no impact on the long-term. The main downside will be

observed during the work, especially as regards the trenches.

Interconnection of

villages,

Interconnection terminals will be installed along the fibre optic route. Their

location is not yet specified but will take account of the target communities and

areas. These terminals are not directly accessible to the populations but will

allow telecom operators to connect in order to offer their services.

Recruitment of local

labour,

Trenches will be dug with the participation of locally recruited labour e along

the route and in agreement with the managers of the company responsible for

project implementation.

Project social works,

the latter is a social project per see because it will enable the development of

telecommunication facilities (telephone, internet, television, etc.) through the

multiplication of community telecentres, access to digital communication tools

, facilitating access to telephone networks, in short opening up of villages in

telecommunications, promoting distance learning and telemedicine.

Final route fibre optic, it will be disclosed only after validation of the results of the technical

performance study to be achieved by the company.

Involvement of local

women in the project

The presence of employees during the project will enable many women

conduct various activities including catering. After the project, they can also

create secretariats office, Internet cafes and telephone booths.

Concern regarding

CRTV signal reception

the passage of the fibre will improve the technology of multiple services and is

an appropriate solution to this problem.

Specific project benefit Specific project benefits, the project itself is already opening up the locality in

terms of telecommunications services since it will enable the development of

telecommunication facilities (telephone, internet, television, etc.) through the

multiplication community telecentres, access to digital communication tools,

facilitating access to telephone networks.

What about the non-

functional and

the community and multipurpose Ntam telecentres shall be maintain pending

the actual exploitation


13

abandoned Ntam post

office

The community and

multipurpose Ntam

telecentres shall be

maintained pending the

actual exploitation?

The relevant age group is the majority age in Cameroon, so as not to fall under

the UNICEF penalty against the child exploitation via profit work. Thus,

Cameroonians who have reached majority and proven skills will be recruited to

availability.

The fibre is laid for the

government or for

corporations? Is the fibre

optic like the electric

current in which

everyone has his own

meter for use?

The fibre optic laying project on the Sangmélima-Djoum-Mintom-Ntam road

section aims to interconnect Cameroon and Congo. The fibre optic does not

operate like the electric current. It is underground and only the big operators

are using it to improve the quality of service for their users in their customer

files. The use of this infrastructure in households is not yet effective in

Cameroon.

Radioactive effects of

the fibre optic passage,

the latter consists of glass or plastic and using totally inert light beams to carry

information across. It does not display knowledge at the current state, has no

effect in terms of radioactivity and human health.

Impacts on watercourse

during fibre optic laying,

It has been specified that the laying of the fibre will depend on the waterbed.

Indeed for situations in which the final material bridges are constructed, the

laying of the fibre will be carried on the bridge. In the case of rivers with low

flow and favourable bed, the fibre will be laid under the waterbed.

During the project implementation, all partners will be consulted on a regular basis via the public

press and during village meetings. Moreover, the summary is also published on the Bank's

website.

7. FURTHER INITIATIVES

7.1. Expropriation, Compensation and Relocation/Resettlement

On the road links considered, only Bertoua- Batouri -Kentzou in the Eastern Region has impacts

on some populations and property. The project includes the refurbishment and offsetting of the

shortfalls at a cost of about FCFA 20,380,000. It also provides for the operation of the

departmental committees for observation and assessment and sensitization.

A short resettlement plan is prepared to facilitate the repair and rehabilitation of the impacted

structures, and the possible relocation backward of some businesses and structures. In view of

flexibility in laying the fibre optic, and pending availability of specific statements of relocation,

the compensation costs have been estimated as:

Costs (in CFAF)

Rehabilitation 14, 380, 000

Provision for shortfall 6, 000, 000

Operation of commissions

Departmental Commission for Observation & Assessment 12, 000, 000

Local Committee for Compensation & Complaints Management 13, 000, 000

Sensitization 8, 000, 000

Aggregate 53, 380, 000

Contingencies 10% 5, 338, 000

Grand Total 58, 718, 000

The 10% increase takes into account contingencies (price increase, identification of other

properties to be expropriated during the construction phase), total compensation costs are

estimated at CFAF 58,718,000.


14

7.2. Improvement Accompanying Measures

The CAB project already meets the demands and concerns in terms of enhanced accessibility to

ICT equipment. Capacity building also includes: i) the definition of institutional mechanisms for

the use of renewables in the ICT development, the construction of two classrooms, the acquisition

of equipment and software for fibre optic laboratories, building specialized libraries at ENSPT.

These measures are part of Component C. The D component is fully dedicated to supporting

women empowerment. It includes 10 sub-components focused on providing equipment and

training including PHD programs.

Therefore, a communications campaign is planned by the CAB –PCU which a CFAF 107 million

budget allocated. It will focus on three main components:

Advocacy: i) Organization of 4 regional workshops for information, awareness targeted

at local elected officials and representatives of civil society, ii) Organization of IEC

messages-making workshop for project targets.

Corporate Communication focusing on: i) Production of IEC materials called

"Printing Without Address" (ISA), ii) Edition of Cartoon dedicated to the project target

population. iii) Publication of a compendium of best practices on the capitalization by the

target populations, project achievements (in the form of comics). iv) Training of 60 peer

educators in group facilitation techniques for organizing educational talks with cross-

sections of the project target population. v) Animation of 100 educational talks with cross-

sections of the project target population. vi) Production of a radio series on the benefits of

fibre optics for the project target populations.

Communications in the mass media: i) Communications in the mass media that will: i)

Contractualization with 8 community and local radio stations in the project areas, ii)

topics / Information items in printed media with national coverage.

11. CONCLUSION

From the environmental and social assessment, it emerges that the project would have some

localized negative impacts on the socio-cultural and socio-economic environment during FO

deployment phase. However, it will also feature major positive impacts. The potential negative

impacts will have no ecological effect both in the immediate project area and in its surroundings,

as it will be possible to technically and financially circumscribed them within reasonable limits, or

sometimes offset by appropriate corrective measures in the proposed ESMP. The improvement

measures regarding the positive impacts will enhance the project scope.

The project is deemed environmentally and socially viable. It holds certificates issued by the

MINEPDED.

12. REFERENCES and CONTACT PERSONS

ESIA Report: Betoua-Batouri-Kentzou

ESIA Report : Kumba –Manfe

ESIA Report: Bamenda –Ndop Kumbo

Report: Sangmelima Fr Congo

Report of the Short Resettlement Plan for Bertoua –Batouri -Kentzou

Contacts: For further information, please contact:

Mr. Kurt LONSWAY, Environment and Climate Change Division ([email protected])

Mr. Samatar OMAR ELMI, OITC.3 Division, Information and Communication Technologies

([email protected] )

Mr. Modeste KINANE, Environment and Climate Change Division ([email protected])

Mr. P. Hassan SANON, Environment and Climate Change Division ([email protected])

Mr. Salim BAIOD, Environment and Climate Change Division ([email protected])

mailto:[email protected]





15

Annex 1: Environmental and Social Management Matrix

Prescribed Measures Activities Implementers

Monitoring and

Surveillance

actors

Monitoring

Indicator

Means of

Verification

Implementati

on Period

Implementation Cost

Bertoua

Batouri

Kentzou

Sanglima

Djoum

Ntam

Bamenda-

Ndop

Kumbo

Kumba

Mamfe

Ekok

Integrate

d costs

Compensation and rehabilitation of

affected building and structures

Implementation of PAR

Relocation

Committee

CAB-PCU /

Project

management

Before the

civil works

58 718 000 - - -

Avoid storing the excavated soil nearby watercourses swampy

lowlands;

Staff information and

awareness;

Company

Project

management

/MINEE

No waterway is

obstructed after

the works

Inspection

During

construction

PM /

Integated in the

work cost

Accelerate laying operations of the

fibre optic crossing and near watercourses;

Waste Management Plan /

setting up of a storage system,

recovery and treatment of various solid waste generated

by the project.

All project wastes are stored

and properly

disposed

Opinion poll

3 000 000 3 000 000 3 000 000 3 000 000

Restore normal water flow after laying ducts under the waterbed;

Project

management

/MINEPDED

PM / Integrated

in the

work cost

Practise horizontal directional

drilling for ducts installation under

the bed of some major watercourses;

Project management

Prohibit any dumping of solid waste from the project into or near

watercourses.

Waste Management Plan

3 000 000 3 000 000 3 000 000 3 000 000

PM

/Waste

management plan

Prohibit the opening of trenches

and rooms at or near ravines and slopes of clearing and backfilling;

Consider these measures in the

project design;

Company Project

management

Validation of the

fibre optic route Inspection

Upon project

design

PM / Integrated

in the

work cost

Reuse excavated earth to backfill

trenches;

Staff information and

awareness

Project

description document or site

journal

Control

Reduce the exposure time of excavated soil to minimize soil

loss.


16


Monitoring and

Surveillance

actors

Monitoring

Indicator

Means of

Verification

Implementati

on Period

Implementation Cost

Bertoua

Batouri

Kentzou

Sanglima

Djoum

Ntam

Bamenda-

Ndop

Kumbo

Kumba

Mamfe

Ekok

Integrate

d costs

Locate herds migration corridors; Identification and materialization of non-

reported migration corridors;

Company

Project management

/MINADER

All cattle migration

corridors along

the road are identified

Field visit

During

construction

PM /

Integrated in the

work cost

Accelerate the laying operations of

the fibre optic at the crossing of

herds migration areas;

Staff awareness;

Project

management

/MINADER

Site journal Opinion poll

Total backfill of trenches after

laying ducts;

Opening and backfilling of trenches within 24 hours at the

crossing of cattle migration

corridors;

Project

management

Site journal

Monthly reports

Prohibit the construction of rooms

in herds migration corridors;

Securing chambers after

construction;

Project

management

Site journal

Monthly reports

Seal up the room entrances.

Inform the populations about the

exact route of the fibre optic, the

progress of the work and the

methods of recruitment and treatment of local labour;

Holding of public information

meetings and press releases in community radio and places of

worship;

Company

At least one

information

meeting in each

village concerned

Field visit

Upon

preparatory

phase

6 000 000 6 000 000

Accelerate laying operations of the fibre optic at the crossing of

residential areas;

Setting up of a recording

device and management of

complaints and claims with respect to the project;

Project

management

Number of complaints filed

Meeting minutes

PM /

Integrated

in the work cost

Avoid opening the trenches at the

school entrance and possibly

provide for provisional crossing means;

Compliance with contractual

compensation clauses.

Project

management

PM /

Integrated

in the work cost

Complete backfill of open trenches

after laying ducts;

Project

management

PM /

Integrated

in the work cost

Negotiate with communities or

owners for any impact on property

within and outside the right of way;

Project management /

CAB-PCU

1 500 000 1 500 000 500 000


17


Monitoring and

Surveillance

actors

Monitoring

Indicator

Means of

Verification

Implementati

on Period

Implementation Cost

Bertoua

Batouri

Kentzou

Sanglima

Djoum

Ntam

Bamenda-

Ndop

Kumbo

Kumba

Mamfe

Ekok

Integrate

d costs

Lay additional ducts inside the

trenches in ahead of future needs;

Project

management

PM / Integrated

in the

work cost

Raise awareness about the risks and hazards related to the trenches

and chamber pits;

HSE Plan

1 500 000 1 500 000 500 000 1 500 000

Project support for the

management of injuries in the

trenches during construction.

HSE Plan

PM /

Integrated in the

work cost

Educate staff on STI / HIV / AIDS

prevention ; Educational talk with staff;

Companies / CAB-

PCU

Project

management /MINAS

HIV/AIDS prevalence

among staff

Minutes of

educational talks

Upon preparatory

phase

3 000 000 2 500 000 2 500 000 3 000 000

Encourage employees to the voluntary testing of STI / HIV /

AIDS

Condom distribution to staff;

Organization of voluntary testing campaign for staff.

Assess goods which could be

impacted by the project after

defining the exact route;

Fibre optic routing;

Companies / CAB-

PCU

Commission of

Observation et Assessment of

properties

Any property impacted outside

the right of way

is compensated

Assessment Report of the

properties

concerned Opinion poll

Upon preparatory

phase

PM /

Relocation plan

Compensate for the relevant property out of the right of way in

accordance with the regulations;

Identification and estimation of the value of goods likely to

be impacted;

MINEPDED Registration of listed indexes

Site journal

Alert the relevant governments or

authorities in the event of damage to an unreported graves or clues of

archaeological interest;

Compensation before property destruction;

MINCULT

Co Bypass urban centres to

minimize the risk of property destruction,

Laying of the fibre in the

bypass right of way MINRESI

Work with the Ministry of Public

Works for fibre optic delineation;

Working sessions with the

Ministry of Public Works for

the definition of the right of way and validation of the fibre

route;

CAB-PCU MINEPDED

Joint agreement MINPOSTEL /

MINTP on the

fibre optic route

Meeting minutes

Upon project

design

PM / Integrated

in the

work cost


18


Monitoring and

Surveillance

actors

Monitoring

Indicator

Means of

Verification

Implementati

on Period

Implementation Cost

Bertoua

Batouri

Kentzou

Sanglima

Djoum

Ntam

Bamenda-

Ndop

Kumbo

Kumba

Mamfe

Ekok

Integrate

d costs

Collaborate with the operators of the different networks in the

construction site; and repair or

restore networks

Location of the different

networks in the right of way of

the fibre optic route;

Companies / CAB-

PCU /Relevant

network operators

MINTP

No network is

cut due to the project

Site journal 2 300 000 2 800 000 0 3 500 000

Adopt the practice of horizontal

directional drilling at the crossing

of the road and of the most used

tracks.

Detours from the feeder roads

and tracks

MINPOSTEL Field visit

Apply the rule of 4 A in case

of damage to a network such as the CDE in Batouri: Stop,

Alert, Develop and Host First

Aids

HSE Plan Project

management 5 000 000 5 000 000 5 000 000 5 000 000

Strengthening the ducts and cables protective device at the

crossing of watercourses;

Work with the Ministry of Public Works for the

delineation of the fibre optic;

Companies / CAB-

PCU /MINTP MINPOSTEL

The entire

network is signposted after

the works

Field visit

Construction and operation

phase

PM /

Integrated

in the work cost

Installing of chambers at regular

intervals and on both sides of the most important waterways;

Public information and

awareness campaign on

network signage and maintenance: meetings, local

radios programs.

Companies/MINP

OSTEL MINEPDED

Existence of an

in-built drawing

for network at work completion

In-built drawing

and field visit

PM / Integrated

in the

work cost

Public awareness on the

preservation of the fibre optic network;

CAB-PCU

Number of information

meeting held

Meeting minutes 2 500 000 2 500 000 1 500 000 2 500 000

Network picket marking (network signalling tags after the trenches

backfill

PM / Integrated

in the

work cost

Installation of standardized

warning grid (30 cm above the soil surface) ;

PM / Integrated

in the

work cost

Establishment of a network monitoring and maintenance

system;

PM / Project

cost


19


Monitoring and

Surveillance

actors

Monitoring

Indicator

Means of

Verification

Implementati

on Period

Implementation Cost

Bertoua

Batouri

Kentzou

Sanglima

Djoum

Ntam

Bamenda-

Ndop

Kumbo

Kumba

Mamfe

Ekok

Integrate

d costs

Developing an as-built drawing for

the fibre optic network after

construction.

PM /

Integrated in the

work cost

Developing an as-built drawing for

the fibre optic network after construction;

Installation of the terminals at

the junction leading to PCTs; CAB-PCU MINPOSTEL

At least one

youth was

recruited in each of the fibre-

connected PCT;

Field visit

During

construction

PM/

Project cost

Easy connection of other PCTs to

the fibre optic;

Installation of the

interconnected terminals at the

crossing of the different villages;

CAB Project Project

management

PCT directly

connected to the fibre optic at the

end of work

Site journal PM/ Project

cost

Gradual recruitment of local labour in the various communities along

the route;

Minutes of equipment

reception at PCT,

CPF, DAA and CECA

PM /

integrated into the

operating

budget

Multiplication of terminals to

facilitate the interconnection of different localities in the study area

to broadband fibre optic;

Installation of solar panels for

the electrification of PCTs

PM /

Project

cost

Installation of PCT equipment PM/ Project

cost

86 518 000 21 800 000 22 000 000 21 500 000

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