Overview

This document is the Final Report for the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, prepared for the Federal Government of Nigeria in October 2021. The ACReSAL project aims to enhance agro-climatic resilience in semi-arid landscapes, and this RPF addresses the resettlement and compensation requirements for project-affected persons (PAPs) due to land acquisition. The report is structured into multiple chapters and sections, beginning with an executive summary that outlines the key principles, objectives, processes, potential impacts, legal and institutional guidelines, eligibility criteria, valuation methods, grievance mechanisms, consultations, livelihood restoration, implementation arrangements, monitoring and evaluation, and funding. The main body provides detailed guidance on the resettlement process, including screening, preparation of Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs), census and socio-economic surveys, determination of ESS5 applicability, approval and disclosure requirements. It discusses the potential impacts and risks of the project, such as physical and economic displacement, and proposes mitigation measures, with special attention to vulnerable groups. The legal framework section examines Nigerian land ownership laws, particularly the Land Use Act of 1978, and compares them with the World Bank's Environmental and Social Standards (ESS), especially ESS5 on involuntary resettlement. A gap analysis identifies discrepancies between national law and international standards and suggests gap-filling measures. The document also covers entitlement and eligibility criteria for compensation, methods for asset valuation, and the establishment of a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM). It emphasizes the importance of consultations and stakeholder participation, livelihood enhancement and restoration, and the coordination and implementation arrangements for RAPs/ARAPs, including monitoring and evaluation and funding arrangements. The report is intended to serve as a framework for preparing site-specific resettlement plans under the ACReSAL project, ensuring compliance with both Nigerian law and World Bank requirements. It is a formal report, likely intended for government agencies, project implementers, and stakeholders involved in the ACReSAL project. The document is in English and is comprehensive, with a table of contents indicating extensive coverage of resettlement issues. Key entities mentioned include the Federal Government of Nigeria, the World Bank, and the ACReSAL project. The report is dated October 2021 and is a final version.

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