Panafcon has been awarded Consultancy Services for carrying out Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) Studies for the proposed Development of Lower Nzoia Irrigation Development Project (LNIDP) Phase II. The studies are currently ongoing. The GoK through NIB intends to implement this project through development of Irrigation Water Intake and Sedimentation Infrastructure, Irrigation Canals and Drains, Project and IWUA Office Blocks, Workshop, Staff Houses and Canal and Farm Roads
The irrigation infrastructure to be developed will take water to the farmers through open canals. The project has a total gross area of 5,316 ha (5,223 ha in the irrigation area and 93 ha at the sedimentation area) while the net area is 3,796 ha). The objectives of the irrigation project are:
• Ensure food self-sufficiency and security at local and national level;
• Create employment and income generation at the local and national level;
• Ensure sustainable supply of raw materials for agro-based industries;
• Contribute to foreign exchange generation through export of surplus food and cash;
• Ensure continued production of crops including processed products from agro-based industries.
The main beneficiaries of the project will be farmers in the following Sub-wards:
• Bunyala East and Bundalangi North Subwards of Bunyala Sub-County; and
• West Ugenya, Ukwala and North-West Ugenya Sub-wards of Ugenya Sub-County.
ESIA
The ESIA Study identified Environmental and Social Impacts associated with the implementation of the project and developed appropriate mitigation measures and monitoring plan in accordance to the local environmental legislation and World Bank Safeguard Policies. The ESIA Study Report containing the project Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and Monitoring ws prepared and submitted to NEMA for review and issuance of EIA License
RAP
The Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) Study is currently underway and is being carried out in accordance to the local legislation and World Bank Guidelines on compensation and involuntary resettlement. The preparation of the RAP is going to be undertaken before the project is implemented so as to identify Project Affected persons (PAPs), the assets affected, value (in Kenya Shilllings) of the land and assets for compensation and social safeguard measures to minimize the impacts of Resettlement on the livelihoods of the PAPs.