The sponsor has presented plans to address these impacts and thus to ensure that the proposed project will, upon implementation of the specific agreed measures, comply with the environmental and social requirements, the host country laws and regulations and the World Bank/IFC environment and social policies and the environmental, health and safety guidelines. The information about how these potential impacts will be addressed by the sponsor/project is summarized in the paragraphs that follow.
MSICIH has previously undertaken to ensure that all companies within the group carry out their business and operations in compliance with World Bank Group Environmental and Social Policies and Environmental Health and Safety Guidelines. As a result of an aggressive development program, which will see rapid growth in network installation and operational development in a range of African countries in the coming years, MSICIH has developed a centralized environmental and social management system with the consolidation of Environment, Health and Safety activities under one central management function with direct reporting from each subsidiary company. MSICIH has also undertaken to design, build and operate future expansions or extensions of current projects in compliance with all pertinent national legislation and local standards, as well as IFC policies and guidelines.
MSICIH has also developed an Environmental and Social Management Action Plan for IFC that includes the following:
- an environmental policy statement;
- a plan for how MSICIH will begin to build staff capacity to address for environmental/health and safety/social issues;
- the name of a senior level director who will report to the Chief Operating Officer on environmental and social issues and who will coordinate these functions across the organization and interface directly with IFC on a regular basis;
- the key environmental/health and safety/social functions to be performed by staff in each operational subsidiary and responsibilities for implementation, training and awareness;
- a procedure whereby all MSICIH majority owned or managed companies will implement IFC’s Environment and Social Policies and Guidelines, including appropriate due diligence when MSICIH enters into partnership agreements or makes investments in local companies;
- the mechanism whereby MSICIH monitors compliance with IFC Environmental and Social Policies and Guidelines now and in the future;
- the reporting requirements, which all parts of the MSICIH organization will be required to adopt so that the central management function can provide an annual monitoring report (AMR) to IFC in fulfillment of its obligations.
A copy of the Environment and Social Management Plan is attached to this Summary.
The selection and development of new sites will be carried out according to procedures laid down by Ministry of the Environment and Nature Conservation. Cellular site installations will, in the main, be located within major cities and towns. The company will use two types of installations, rooftop and green field. Roof top installations will be utilized as much as possible to minimize the effect of construction and the requirements for higher antennas. Roof top installations will consist of shelter for equipment and small antenna masts for the mounting of antennas. MSICIH has given an assurance that green field site installations will not traverse sensitive areas (e.g., forest, wetlands, national parks etc.).
All cell sites will be accessible from existing roads. This type of installation requires the acquisition or lease of real estate, approximately an area of 15m x15m depending on the size of towers and equipment shelter. Land acquisition or lease for the green field site installations will be undertaken through a local real estate agent or through direct negotiations, but always on a willing buyer/ willing seller basis. Wherever practicable, MSICIH will "piggy back" on the development of sites which already have existing installations. The local community is consulted prior to building any base station towers.
MSICIH is committed to undertake and provide IFC with details of future land acquisitions and to comply with World Bank policies and guidelines in all current and future land acquisitions. In the unlikely event that activities will cause the physical or economic displacement of people, the company will consult with the IFC, and, as appropriate, submit a Resettlement Action Plan for relocation. The substance of the Resettlement Action Plan will comply with applicable World Bank Group policies and procedures.
Solid and liquid waste generated as part of network installation and operations are limited and will be disposed of in accordance with local regulations including septic tank sludge disposal.
Any existing equipment containing PCBs will be phased out according to World Bank Environment, Health and Safety Guidelines - Telecommunications. MSICIH will only use authorized contractors to undertake this work and will ensure that disposal is carried out in compliance with relevant legislation and or industry best practice guidance. Processes, equipment and central cooling systems involving the use or potential release to the environment of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s including Halon), will not be installed, and their use in existing processes and systems will be phased out and disposed of in a manner consistent with the requirements of the host country and or best industry practice. Alternative options for HCFC 22 or R-22 include Suva 9000 (R407C) and 9100 (R410A). Generators used for back-up power supply (diesel or propane) will be installed with sound attenuation enclosures. Fuel storage tanks will be equipped with secondary containment. Each site is visited monthly to monitor its safety and environmental status.
All facilities will be equipped with fire protection devices including fire extinguishers. Mobile switching centers will be equipped with an automatic fire suppression system. Additionally, site installations and any central offices will be equipped with first aid kits and safety equipment (e.g., goggles, protective headgear, gloves, safety climbing equipment etc.). MSICIH will also submit to IFC for approval a Fire and Life Safety Review, which will include recommendations for the installation of fire extinguishers and alarms, implementation of procedures for fire prevention and safety, as well as the proper use of emergency equipment and the provision of regular fire drills.
The company will provide comprehensive employee training on environmental, health and safety issues. All employees will be provided with the necessary safety training in proper work procedures and equipment handling methods. Each company has also committed to designate a person to oversee environmental, health and safety matters.
IFC Against AIDS is working with MSICIH at the corporate level to help them refine their HIV Policy and develop an AIDS Action Plan to address HIV/AIDS in the workplace and potentially extend to surrounding communities. Two pilot clusters of countries where various operations of MSI are located have been identified to test some of the proposed interventions:
- Zambia, Uganda, Malawi and/or Tanzania;
- DRC, Congo Brazzaville and Gabon.
The Corporate Citizenship Facility of the IFC is recognizing the leadership of the company in this area by providing funding for a cost/benefit analysis, as well as an analysis of the implementation consequences of providing antiretroviral treatment for employees as part of MSI''s AIDS Action Plan. The study will be completed by PharmAccess International and funding provided by the CCF will be matched by MSI CIH.
