Resettlement Programmes

2003-2009 Resettlement

  • Survey of Community in the Affected Area In 2003 Digby Wells, in conjunction with Cemmats, undertook a comprehensive assessment of all the households that would be directly affected by the Company s mining operations, in accordance with MIGA / World Bank Operational Directive 4.3 (dealing with involuntary resettlement) as well as all relevant Sierra Leone legislation. Using these guidelines, DWA formulated a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP). A total of 284 household plots (152 households from Sokogbe Town and 132 households from Saquee Town), (Cemmats/Digby Wells Household Questionnaire Survey, June 2003), and an additional 104 burnt down plots (with no families living on them), were identified and demarcated into 5 zones (Zone A, B, C, D and E). Households located in these zones are part of two villages, Saquee Town and Sokogbe Town, and represented the households most affected by the project at the time.
  • Social Survey A social survey was undertaken by conducting structured interviews with 297 individual households within these zones. At the time the combined total of persons that were identified as those who would be directly affected by the proposed mining activities was 4,536 people. Of the affected population, 2,896 persons were classified as relatives i.e. part of the family owning the household structure. The survey also showed that 1,928 persons were classified as others i.e. not related to the owning household, but renting rooms from the owning household family.
  • Resettlement Strategy The resettlement programme was focused on resettling the affected 284 households (2,380 persons) and their primary structures and was based on a transparent process of consultation with key stakeholders. A resettlement strategy was formulated and the relocation site selected by all key stakeholder groups.
  • Resettlement Strategy It was agreed that implementation would be on a rolling or continuous basis, starting with the households located in and around the 100 m blast perimeters of K1, followed by those households located in and around the 100 m blast perimeter of K2. Thereafter, the remaining households were to be resettled in a continuous and systematic manner, according to the placement of infrastructure and implementation of the mining plan. As an interim measure, it was agreed that all houses within the 100 m and 250 m blast perimeter would be temporarily evacuated at the time of blasting, until such time as the resettlement programme had been completed.
  • Selected Resettlement Area Of the five potential sites identified to host the resettled community, the one selected by the key stakeholders was located to the south-east of the mining lease area . The large area demarcated was an uninhabited, fertile piece of land located near to good water resources and within walking distance from the main Sefadu-Gandorhun road.
  • Implementation Construction of the first 10 houses was initiated in October 2003, with the aim of constructing at least 10 houses per month so that the entire resettlement programme could be completed in just over two years. However, after construction and resettlement of the first 10 houses, various NGOs and Civil Society Organisations (CSO) began to interfere with the resettlement programme, causing significant delays. The first set of houses built is visible in the bottom left hand corner of the demarcated resettlement site (blue line).
  • Town Planning After the first set of 10 houses were completed, a second area within the larger resettlement site was chosen by the Resettlement Committee for development. The site layout is according to the specifications of the Ministry of Housing and Country Planning and the individual houses designed by the Kono Town Planning Officer.
  • Handing-over ceremony The first set of 10 houses as well as first crop compensation packages were handed over to affected persons in a ceremonial event on 24 July 2004. The Acting Paramount Chief of Tankoro Chiefdom, Chief E.T.T. Nyandeboh handed over a crop compensation packages to each home owner (above shown is Mr. Tamba Ellie). The Chairman of the Kono Council of Chiefs, Paramount Chief Konobundor and Phillip Sorboeh of Koidu Holdings looked on as members of UNAMSIL and the Press filmed the day s activities.
  • House designs Six different house plans were drawn up by the Housing and Country Planning Officers, ranging from a 2 bedroom to a 7 bedroom house. Depending on the size of the original house, each home owner was provided with plans for his/her new home, which were accepted and signed by the Town Chief, Paramount Chief and Town Planning Officer of the Ministry of Lands.
  • Influx and illegal construction within the mining lease area From 2004 to 2007 there was a significant influx of people who constructed houses and other structures illegally within the mining lease area. While this problem was repeatedly raised with the Government of Sierra Leone over the three-year period, nothing was done to address it and disruption of the resettlement process by NGO and CSOs continued.
  • Committee for the Re-start of Koidu Holdings In July 2008, a committee consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Mineral Resources, the Affected Property Owners , the Tankoro Chiefdom Authority, Koidu Holdings and Cemmats was formed to look into issues related to the resettlement programme and find ways to resolve them.
  • Village Resettlement Committee The Village Resettlement Committee was formed in August 2008. The Committee is chaired by the Paramount Chief and consists of representatives of the project affected area including: Affected Property Owners Association (APOA); Town chiefs of the affected settlements; National Government Cemmats Environmental Consultants; Koidu Holdings; Youth; Councillors(s); Koidu Deputy Mayor; and Department of Housing. The VRC holds monthly meetings where issues pertaining to the current resettlement process are discussed. The VRC is also responsible for resolving grievances and disputes lodged by those affected by the resettlement, including those within the extended blasting buffer area.
  • Re-survey of affected community One of the recommendations made by the Committee for the re-start of Koidu Holdings was that Cemmats be appointed to survey all those living within the lease area, including the those who had built illegally since 2003. Cemmats were also appointed to formulate and implement a new Resettlement Action Plan, and were to be contracted to refurbish previously built houses and construct new houses according to the newly defined framework.
  • Agricultural Compensation Stakeholders Agreement In January 2009, an agreement was signed with all those living within the lease area for compensation related to crops and economic trees. The agricultural compensation payments amounted to Le2,061,443,750 (US$675,000) which was over and above the Le198,196,250 that was agreed to and paid out in 2003/4.
  • New Resettlement Action Plan Stakeholder s Agreement A new RAP Stakeholder Agreement was formulated by; the Committee for the Re-opening of Koidu Holdings (CRKH) (consisting of representative from; the GoSL, members of Parliament, NGO s, CSO s, Kono District Council, Kono Town Council), the GoSL (Ministry of Mineral Resources), the Village Resettlement Committee (VRC), the Affected Property Owners Association (APOA), Koidu Holdings and Cemmats. All parties signed the new agreement on the 7 August 2009.
  • Construction Agreement for Replacement Housing In accordance with the RAP Construction Agreement, dated 8 November 2009, Cemmats were to construct these houses at a rate of at least 12 houses per month, starting by the 10th of November 2009 and completion all houses on or before 30 November 2011. During the first year of implementation, 2010, the actual vs. planned achievement was rate 84%, or an average of 10 out of 12 houses per month.
  • 2009 RAP Agreement According to the 2009 RAP Agreement and reconciliation of the 2003 RAP, as at 8 November 2009, a total of 88 houses were completed (2003 RAP) and 256 houses plus 9 community facilities (new) were to be constructed. On request from the VRC, Koidu also agreed to rebuild 27 of the houses (part of 2003 RAP) that were under construction at the time. This brought the total RAP programme (2003 plus 2009) to 371 houses, 9 community facilities (3 mosques, 1 church, 1 clinic, 1 blacksmith, 1 court barrie, 1 market, and 1 primary school) and 1 business (bakery).
  • Laying of the Foundation Stone At the official opening of the Koidu Kimberlite Project 2009 RAP on 20 February 2010, the symbolic foundation stone of the New Resettlement was handed over for laying to the Vice President of Sierra Leone, The Honourable Alhaji Sidique Sam-Sumana by Koidu Holdings Acting CEO, Dino Coutinho. The second Lady of Sierra Leone, Madam Kadijatu Sam-Sumana, the Chairman Kono District Council, Mr. John Yambasu and Paramount Chief Paul Ngaba Saquee V also attended this auspicious occasion. During the ceremony, the first completed set of 12 houses were handed over to their owners.
  • The First Lady of Sierra Leone hands over house plans The first Lady of Sierra Leone, Madam Sia Nyama Koroma handed over the official house plans for each completed resettlement house to an affected property owner. The First Lady, who hails from Kono District, took a special interest in the programme and also spoke on behalf of development of the women of the District.
  • New Homes The families allocated the first set of 12 houses constructed under the 2009 RAP Agreement were assisted in the move to their new homes during the week of the 22 to 26 February 2010.
  • Koidu Resettlement Village The Koidu Resettlement Village has built a reputation for being one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in the Kono District.
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Expansion Project Resettlement

  • Extended Affected Area The increase in the blast radius around the open pits from 250 m to 500 m will extend beyond the existing mining lease boundary into an area referred to as the Extended Affected Area (EAA). No mining will take place within the EAA, however, for safety reasons, the resettlement of all households, community structures and businesses located in the EAA is required.
  • Stakeholder Engagement The RAP process was initiated in November 2010 by having a meeting with the Village Resettlement Committee (VRC) and town chiefs for the affected villages (Yormandu, New Senbehun and Saquee Town). A public meeting was subsequently held with the affected community to notify and inform them of the RAP process.
  • Asset Survey The asset survey involved the identification and recording of all directly affected assets as represented by the owner or his/her representative. The asset survey was undertaken by means of a structured questionnaire aimed at recording all residential and business structures and associated outbuildings, graves and shrines, economic trees and community facilities. The Digby Wells study team received in-field support from local consultants, government officials and representatives of the directly affected community.
  • Asset Survey The EAA was divided into smaller survey areas and three field teams conducted the asset survey from November 2010 to January 2011. All plots surveyed were numbered sequentially and a survey number, corresponding with the Area number, was painted on the wall of the main dwelling structure. Photographs were taken of the owner and the different structures recorded on the plot. Main dwelling structures were GPS referenced, and this was recorded, together with the photo reference numbers for all the structures and features on the respective plots. All economic trees were counted and recorded in terms of maturity (seedlings, medium and bearing). Photographic and GPS references were also recorded for graves and other features of cultural/archaeological significance, e.g. shrines.
  • Asset Survey The Expansion Project will affect approximately 8,394 people in 672 households. A total of 1,236 structures were recorded within the EAA. This includes primary and secondary residential dwellings, as well as outbuildings such as toilets, showers, shops/stores, kitchens, animal pens and recreational facilities, as well as community infrastructure. In addition to the structures recorded, 70 empty town lots were surveyed. No structures were recorded on these properties but the economic trees were counted and recorded.
  • Household Survey A detailed household survey was undertaken as part of the 2011 RAP as required by IFC PS5. The purpose of the survey was to: <ul> <li> Obtain accurate socio-economic baseline data for the affected households; <li> Develop appropriate livelihood restoration programmes to mitigate the resettlement induced needs of affected households; <li> Identify vulnerable and marginalised households and develop additional resettlement measures to assist these particular households; and <li> Provide accurate baseline data for future monitoring and evaluation of resettlement activities and livelihood restoration projects. </ul> The survey was undertaken in directly affected villages and villages surrounding the new proposed host site: New Senbehun, Yormandu, Saquee Town, Old Meima, Wordu , Kania and Manjamadu.
  • Community Development Action Plan (CDAP) International best practice, as guided by the International Finance Corporation, requires that companies undertake resettlement as a sustainable development initiative, i.e. an initiative that leads to an improved standard of living for displaced people. Resettlement should therefore be accompanied by restoration or improvement of livelihoods and living standards of displaced persons. A CDAP was developed as part of the 2003 RAP for communities that would be affected by the Koidu Kimberlite Project (KKP). Koidu Holdings has implemented community development projects since the start of the mining project. The 2003 CDAP is being reviewed to provide an updated livelihood development strategy that can be implemented to create an enabling environment where affected parties can optimally benefit from opportunities presented by the Expansion Project.
  • Crop Compensation To ensure consistency between the compensation measures implemented for the 2003-2009 resettlement programme and those related to the Expansion Project RAP, the same principles and standards were adopted for the new phase of compensation. One of the changes to be noted is that according to best practices a portion (15%) of the compensation should be retained to assist individual households with livelihood restoration after they have been resettled. The Agreement was presented to the affected community on 28 July 2011 whereafter individual crop compensation agreements were signed by each affected household owner and the first instalment of compensation paid.
  • Expansion Project Resettlement Action Plan The 2009 Resettlement Action Plan Stakeholder Agreements will form the basis for the Expansion Project Resettlement Action Plan and care is being taken to ensure consistency between the two RAP agreements. In line with IFC requirements, a draft RAP report will be publicly disclosed to all stakeholders toward the end of October 2011.

New Homes

1st Set | 22 - 26 February 2010 Before & after shots

3rd Set | 17 - 21 May 2010 Before & after shots

4th Set | 21-25 June 2010 Before & after shots

5th Set | 21-27 July 2010 Before & after shots

6th Set | 23-27 August 2010 Before & after shots

7th Set | 21-25 September 2010 Before & after shots

9th Set | 6-10 December 2010 Before & after shots

10th Set | 24-29 January 2011 Before & after shots

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The resettlement housing Project Engineer talks about the project planning process.
An artisan on the resettlement project talks about the pride which new homes has brought to the people.