The Implementation of the E&S Documents for the BHNS Project

  1. PSSE and PGES :
    The provisions of the PGES and PSSE related to the construction phase, which are generally good construction practices, constitute one of the reference frameworks for monitoring ESSS on construction sites by both the MOER and the AMO E&S. Any anomalies noted are reported to the concerned company to implement appropriate corrective actions.
  2. PEPP
    2.1. Actions taken before the construction phase: During the preparation phase, the following actions were taken regarding the disclosure of information about the Project and stakeholder participation:
    • In accordance with the provisions of Law 12-03 related to EIE in Morocco and its implementing decree setting out the procedures for conducting the public inquiry, a public inquiry related to the EIE was opened on July 9, 2020. Non-Technical Summaries (NTS) of the EIES in Arabic and French were made available to the public in paper copies at the offices of the municipalities concerned by the Project (Agadir and Dcheira El Jihadia) from that date for a duration of 20 days. Registers were also placed there to collect public opinions. The notice of the opening of the public inquiry was previously published in two national newspapers, one of which was in Arabic.
    • An information meeting for the main partners of the Project regarding the progress of the EIES update. This meeting was held in June 2020 to present the mission of updating the EIES to the main partners of the Project, notably the Wilaya, RSM, ECI, and the Municipality of Agadir.
    • The presentation of the EIES of the Project before the National Commission for Environmental Impact Studies (CNEI) to obtain the environmental acceptability of the project.
    • The organization of a large communication and information campaign at the level of the Agadir Ida-Outanane prefecture. This campaign aimed to inform and raise awareness among stakeholders and partners about the scope and added value of the Project’s intervention in the urban environment for all modes of transport in Agadir before the start of the development works.

2.2. Implementation of the PEPP:
During the construction phase, the following table summarizes all actions taken or to be taken within the framework of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan.

3. Complaint Management Mechanism:
Agadir Mobilité adopted a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) in December 2021, along with a system for tracking received grievances. The steps of this mechanism are summarized as follows:

  • Registration and Allocation of Complaints: The channels for receiving complaints dedicated to the Project include: (i) in-person reception (at the project information office or at the construction site), (ii) telephone calls or WhatsApp messages sent to the dedicated number indicated on flyers or social media, (iii) a mobile application, (iv) postal or electronic mail sent to the dedicated email address or social media, and (v) through local authorities and municipalities. Complaints are recorded either (i) directly in an Excel file with status updates on the complaint processing, or (ii) in the grievance registers set up by the companies at the construction site, which are then compiled into the Excel file.
  • First Resolution Proposal by Agadir Mobilité: The first resolution proposal is made by Agadir Mobilité or its representatives (such as the companies or AMO E&S), with contributions from the relevant local authorities or municipalities if the complaint falls entirely or partially within their competencies.
  • Recourse to a Mediation Committee: If the first proposed resolution is not accepted by the complainant, recourse to a Mediation Committee is made. The complaint tracking file is systematically updated by Agadir Mobilité and the companies responsible for the works.

4. E&S Monitoring During the BHNS Operation Period:
Agadir Mobilité intends to extend the mission of AMO E&S to cover the remaining period of the construction phase and the first two (2) years of BHNS operation. During the first two (2) years of operation, the AMO will prepare a semi-annual E&S monitoring report for the project owner and the funding agency. This report will include, based on data collected from Agadir Mobilité or other stakeholders, an analysis of at least the following elements: energy aspects, user satisfaction, taxi redeployment, human health and living environment, and road safety based on a set of indicators. The AMO E&S will prepare a template for the E&S monitoring report during the operational phase and submit it for validation to the project owner and the funding agency.