REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (NATIONAL INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SELECTION): ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT/AUDIT 146 views

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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT/AUDIT OF MAKERE GHOREI IRRIGATION PROJECT IN HOLA, TANA RIVER COUNTY

1.0 Introduction

The Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT), has since the year 2002 developed a niche in supporting the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises by providing integrated business solutions for sustainable development. MESPT is currently implementing the DANIDA Country Programme dubbed the Green Growth and Youth Employment Programme 2016-2020. The Thematic Programme objective is “Inclusive greener growth with higher employment” and will be achieved by focusing support on two intervention areas: i.) Sustainable growth and jobs from investment and (ii.) trade and sustainable use of natural resources and community resilience. MESPT is currently supporting Makere Ghorei Cooperative Society to fully commercialize farming operations in Tana River county. The overall objective of this intervention is to enhance livelihoods resilience of the farmers by transitioning the hitherto largely pastoralist community from subsistence flood farming to commercial irrigation farming. This is though implementation of specific interventions including participatory establishment of an efficient solar powered irrigation system for the 800-acre farm in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and subsequent establishment of a strong governance system under the cooperative system. This in turn is foreseen as critical to champion pro-poor inclusion in value chain development by enhancing competitiveness of the high priority value chains in Tana River. Consequently, this will foster decent employment and income opportunities for the farmers, youth and women.

1.1 Background Information

Makere Ghorei Farmers’ Co-operative Society Limited (MGCSL) is registered under the Co-operative Societies Act, CAP 490 of the Laws of the Republic of Kenya. The cooperative is domiciled in Ghorei sub-location, Makere location, Galole Sub County – Tana River County. The Co-operative was preceded by the Community Development Committee and Makere Ghorei CBO and acts as a producer and marketing entity for farmers in Makere. Currently, the Co-operative has a membership of 250 farmers representative of five village clusters in Makere i.e., Kongowea, Kimbilia, Makere, Salama and Makongeni, each farmer having been allocated 1-acre for cultivation. The main goal of the cooperative is to carry out commercial farming aided by irrigation on their 800-acre piece of land. The enterprises supported include are maize, high value pulses, onions, watermelons and tomatoes. The Royal Danish Embassy (RDE) supported the cooperative, through the Makere CBO to a tune of KES. 18.9 million in projects implemented through CDTF under the Business Sector Programme Support II (BSPS II). The programme was designed to address competitiveness constraints of MSMEs in selected value chains in order to increase market access for Kenyan producers and enterprises, with emphasis on rural, women and youth. The RDE has since handed over the activities to Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT) with an overarching goal of fully commercializing farming operations of the cooperative. To achieve this, an efficient and reliable water supply to the farms is necessary for irrigation. To ensure the compliance to statutory requirements as in section 18 of EIA regulations, MESPT intends to engage services of an environmental consultant who will be reporting to the Value Chain Officer at MESPT Mariakani. The supervisor will for a period not exceeding 3 months support the cooperative carrying out a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment and/ or Intial Audit. To learn more about our organization, please visit www.mespt.org.

2.0 Overall Objective

To carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment/Initial Audit for Makere Ghorei Irrigation Project Phase 1 covering 125 acres to facilitate compliance to the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act, 1999., Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003 and any other statutory requirements in line with section 18 of the EIA regulations.

2.1 Specific objectives

a) Identify the (anticipated) environmental impact of the project and the scale of the impact.

b) Propose mitigation measures to be taken during and after the implementation of the project.

c) Draft an environmental management plan with actionable M&E plan to ensure compliance for sustainable environmental performance. This is inclusive of the cost of mitigation measures and a corresponding implementation plan to execute the said activities.

3.0 Scope of work

The consultant will carry out this assignment is not limited to but includes:

1. Provision of details regarding the project activities including but not limited to scope, inputs, outputs, benefits/ benefits register and stakeholders.
2. Identification of potential significant environmental effects and impacts as a result of the project during and after its implementation.
3. Identification of feasible mitigation measures on the significant negative impacts of the project as in (ii) above.
4. Development of an environmental management and monitoring plan articulating the negative impacts identified and give an itinerary of future environment audits.
5. Drafting of an implementation framework covering the mitigation measures as in (iii) above articulating tasks to persons responsible, the resources/BQs required, the implementation schedules (incl. financial implications).
6. Incorporation of public participation during the assignment to ensure that project activities are clearly understood among stakeholders with a view to take note of potential impacts. This also includes ensuring that the project does not compromise the interests of the Makere community.
7. Drafting a cost benefit analysis of the of the project both to the local and national economy.
8. Incorporating environmental management plans and M&E plans during implementation and occupation phases of the development.

4.0 Expected output and key deliverables

The expected output and deliverables of this assignment is not limited to but include:

1. A final EIA report for the project site in line with section 18 of the EIA regulations.

2. List of key informants interviewed including public participation forum comments and findings.

3. NEMA license for the project.

5.0 Implementation Duration

The assignment will commence from date of signing of contract and be completed not later than 30^th September 2020. There will be provision for discussion of the implementation plan and minimum requirements for this assignment/validation of findings with MESPT and inclusion of comments where applicable. The consultant will be selected based on proven experience, qualifications, and ability to interpret the TOR and develop appropriate and detailed Technical Proposal to execute the training.

6.0 Ownership and Beneficiaries of the reports

Any studies, reports or other materials, graphics, software or otherwise prepared by the Service Provider for the Trust under this Agreement shall belong to and remain the property of the Trust. The Service Provider shall not use such property for any other purpose unless prior express consent is given by the Trust.

7.0 Qualification and Competencies

The individual should demonstrate relevant expertise in environmental science, civil and structural engineering, water engineering, quantity survey, or any other related discipline.

Additionally, the individual should fulfil the following criteria:

i. At least five years’ experience in carrying out of EIAs in Kenya.

ii. Must have at least an MSc. in environmental science or related discipline.

iii. The EIA expert should be registered by the National Environment Management Authority

iv. Professionalism and an ability to work independently with little or no supervision.

v. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

vi. Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and experience in EIA in rural irrigation systems. Conducted EIA for at least 2 large scale irrigation systems