Large scale resettlement for transboundary water infrastructure in weak enabling environments - evaluation of the first phase of resettlement for the Kandadji project and emerging global lessons

Detailed description of project:

The Kandadji Dam project on the Niger Basin seeks to transform the livelihoods of the people and the economy as a whole in Niger. The project comprises the construction of a dam, a 130 MW power plant and power transmission lines. This will require the resettlement of ~40,000 people and is accompanied by community-based local development activities. The long-term development aims to irrigate up to 45,000 ha in the Niger Basin for diversification of agriculture production as well as to provide catalytic measures to sustain livelihoods through growth and innovation of agribusinesses.

The project is implemented by the High Commission for the Development of the Niger Valley (HCAVN). As one of three major transboundary dam projects planned in the Niger Basin, it is also being overseen by the Niger Basin Authority (NBA).

The resettlement is divided into two phases, to coincide with the construction phase of the dam (5,200 people) and the reservoir filling phase (~35,000 people). The main dam construction works are due to start in 2016, while the reservoir filling will start at the earliest by the end of 2019. The first phase of resettlement, initiated in 2009, has been designed as a pilot for the much larger second resettlement phase.

Type of services provided:

The assignment’s objective is the preparation of the second phase resettlement associated with the construction of the Kandadji dam. The overall objective of the assignment is a comprehensive and detailed evaluation of the first phase of resettlement (2009-2015). This includes among others the following activities:

  • Review of planning documents (including reports, plans, maps, minutes of meetings, agreements etc.) for the first phase of the Kandadji project as well as the implementation of the resettlement activities in Kandaji and other projects on involuntary resettlement;
  • Evaluation of the institutional framework environment;
  • In-depth assessment of previous phase and formulation of recommendations on the design and implementation of further resettlement program;
  • Investigation on compensation of lost goods, land and rights, legal framework, communication structure, dispute resolution, collective infrastructure, technical support for the social infrastructure and houses and the efforts to enhance livelihoods (local development, new irrigated perimeters, land tenure and rights, plot allocation, training and institutional arrangements);
  • Review of best practices from the first phase and other large resettlement programs to enhance the effectiveness and timeliness of the second resettlement phase.
 
High Commission for the Development of the Niger Valley (HCAVN)
Cooperation in International Waters in Africa (CIWA) + WB multi-donor trust fund program
06/2015-07/2016
Contract value:
175,936 €