Due Diligence Report
November 2012
MFF 0026-AFG: Energy Sector Development
Investment Program – Proposed Tranche 4
Prepared by Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (Afghanistan Electricity Company) for the Asian
Development Bank.
Annexure 13
AFG: Grid Development and Distribution Extension Project
Due Deligence Report of Land Acquisition and Resettlement for Distribution
Component
INTRODUCTION
1.
The Government of Afghanistan proposes to include as a component of Tranche 4 of the
AFG Energy Sector Development Investment Program the construction of power distribution
networks on the south eastern part of the country, covering Pul-e-Alam the capital city of Logar
Province and Gardez the capital city of Paktia Province. Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat
(DABS) is the executing agency (EA) and will implement this component through its existing
Program Management Office (PMO), supported by a Program Management and Project
Implementation Consultants (PMPIC). Approximately, 20,000 households are expected to
benefit from this component. The preliminery design of medium and low voltage distribution
networks is being unmdertaken by Program Management and Project Implementation
conusltnat (SMEC International). The project will be dovetailed with the 220 kv transmission line
and 220 kv/20 kv sub-stations construction that is being undertaken by United States Army in
these provinces.
SCOPE OF THE DISTRIBUTION COMPONENT
2.
The towns of Pul-e-Alam (Logar province) and Gardez (Paktiya province) are currently
not connected to Afghanistan’s power grid and therefore have no distribution network installed.
The Component’s physical works will comprise the installation of low/medium power distribution
lines and erection of an estimated 7,000 concrete/steel electric poles, spread over the whole
area of the two cities of Pul-e-Alam and Gardez. Other associated infrastructure facilities include
the installation of distribution transformers, low voltage (LV) panels, LV/MV cables and
accessories, ACSR conductors, aerial bundle cables and accessories, assembly accessories,
electronic meter and meter boxes, medium voltage (MV) switches and fuses, etc., and
installation of MV & LV network and equipment.
3.
Based on this preliminary design, the advanced level design and the bidding document
will be prepared by project preparatory consultant, who is expected to be fielded by December
2012. Upon contract award in 2013, the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC)
contractor will undertake detailed design include network design and precise equipment and
locations of towers. The detailed engineering design will be conducted by the design build
contractor and due diligence report will be further updated at that stage of project
implementation.
METHODOLOGY
4.
In the preparation of this due diligence report on land acquisition and resettlement (LAR)
aspect, it has not been possible to visit the Project area because of severe restrictions due to
the security situation. As an alternative working methodology, activities have basically been
limited to consultant’s previous experience from areas similar to the Project area in Afghanistan,
assessment of the condition of the area via Google map, supplemented with information derived
from personnel involved in the Project. Data gathering was undertaken through detailed
interviews with senior management and field staff in Ministry of Energy and Water and DABS.
LAND ACQUISITION AND RESETTLEMENT IMPLICATIONS
5.
The distribution lines will be constructed within the existing road alignment. Acquisition of
land and of other assets will be avoided for establishment of these power distribution networks.
Proper engineering design, and using established roadside reserve and tracks for the poles
foundation and line stringing will be done to avoid impacting on any existing private or
community assets/improvements. Consultation will be undertaken with the people living or
owing land/property alongside the line corridor at the design stage in order to define the most
acceptable alignment. This consultation will also help finding suitable time gap for using fallow
land for implementing physical works at the time between the harvest of crop and the next
planting season.
6.
The civil works contract will require the contractors to obtain approval of respective
City/District Government before they temporarily occupy any land for the purpose of
construction material storage, equipments or construction site. The contractors will also be
required to negotiate and reach an agreement with the owners of such land before these are
used for temporary material storage or site construction. The condition of occupancy of such
land with prior agreement will be clearly specified in the civil works contract.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
7.
The initial due diligence assessment confirms that the power distribution component for
the MFF AFG Energy Sector Development Investment Program – Tranche 4 will have no
adverse social impacts associated with land acquisition and resettlement (LAR). However, this
assessment will have to be confirmed based on the detailed design. Physical works will only be
allowed to commence after confirmation of the absence of any LAR impacts at the detailed
design stage.
8.
In the event that LAR impacts are identified at the detailed design stage or
implementation stage, a LARP will be prepared and implemented following the MFF updated
Land Acquisition and Resettlement Framework (LARF) dated November 2011.
LIST OF PEOPLE MET
9.
Follwing people were consulted during preparation of this document:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
Mr. Ghulam Faruq Qazizadah, Deputy Minister Energy, Ministry of Energy and
Water (MEW)
Mr. Abdul Razique Samadi, Chief Executive Officer, DABS
Ms. Zia Gul, Head of Planning, MEW
Engineer Shah Mohammad, PMO director, MEW
Mr. Shekeeb Nessar, Chief Operating Officer DABS
Dr. Waheedullah Popalzai, PMO Director DABS
Mr. Abdullah Sajid, Head of Engineering DABS
Pul-e-Alam
Gardez