The need for meaningful public involvement in the EIA process has been recognized by the World Bank, European Union governments, the United Nations and many governments around the world. To achieve the objectives of the study, a wide selection of literature on PP in the EIA process was reviewed; document analysis, questionnaire interviews and three case studies were assessed.
Background
This could be among other reasons hindering PP in the EIA process in Rwanda. Social, economic and political dynamics influence PP in the EIA process in Rwanda.
Need for the Study
The Research Problem
It is important to understand the views of IAPs on the effectiveness of the current EIA process in Rwanda. Under this research, an understanding of the views of IAPs on the effectiveness of PP in the EIA process was created.
Aim of the Study
Despite this requirement, PP in Rwanda appears to be inadequate in the EIA process and also in environmental management in general (PEI, 2007). However, the focus of this study is only limited to analyzing the effectiveness of PP in the EIA process in Rwanda based on IAP's views and reviews of three practical EIA case studies.
Research Objectives
Methodology
The theoretical perspective for the case study research is presented in section 2.5 and the rationale for the methodology adopted in this study is covered in the same section.
Clarification of concepts
The public in this research refers to all those stakeholders who may be directly or indirectly affected by a proposed development project. In the framework of this study, PP is related to the process of active involvement of IAPs in the EIA process.
Dissertation Structure
PP defines and refers to different meanings for different interests when researchers use them in different contexts. This was achieved by reviewing their Environmental Impact Study (EIS) documents for the three case studies, site visits and interviews.
Introduction
EIA process and PP
- Screening
- Scoping of Impacts
- Impact Assessment and EIA report preparation
- Review of EIA Report
- Decision Making
- Monitoring of impacts
Monitoring stage of the EIA process often neglects PP and is considered a technical and expert based exercise (Doelle & Sinclair 2006; Enserink & Koppenjan, 2007). This can build public confidence in the process and a sense of community co-ownership and management of the project.
Key requirement for, and barriers to effective and meaningful PP in the EIA process14
- Key elements that determine effective and meaningful PP in the EIA process
- Legal requirement for PP in the EIA process
- Need for guiding principles for PP in the EIA process
- PP planning
- Barriers to meaningful PP in the EIA process
Barriers to effective PP in the environmental impact assessment process Improve informed decision-making Early involvement of IAP in. As highlighted in section 2.3.5 below, effective and meaningful PP in the EIA process requires planning and effective participatory techniques.
EIA procedure in Rwanda
Overview of public involvement in the EIA process in Rwanda
Case study research requirement
Case study data collection
Case study research does not specify data collection approaches (Welman, et al, 2005, Yin, 2003, Games – Ochoa P. Y, 2006) and this sets case study apart from other forms of research that require predetermined data collection approaches. This allows the researcher to employ flexible and relevant data collection methods appropriate to a particular case study under investigation. That said, Welman et al. (2005) point out some important requirements (see Box 1 above) in case study research that require attention to achieve meaningful results.
Case study data analysis
Conclusion
Chapter Summary
Introduction
Overview of the methodology
Information from step 1 below explored in chapter 2 formed the conceptual framework under which this study was conducted. Based on questionnaire responses, document review and interview results, and the general conclusions about the effectiveness of PP in the EIA process in Rwanda were analyzed. To assess the practical effectiveness of EIA implementation to ensure meaningful PP (based on the three case studies).
Data collection methods
Literature and document review
Analysis of EIA documents
The information obtained through document analysis will be based on data and other information obtained through the questionnaire and open interviews.
Sampling method applied
- Questionnaire
- Semi-Structured Questionnaire
- Open-ended questions
- Data analysis
- Challenges faced in planning this research design
The second thing to consider was the nature of the questionnaire to be used in this research. The examination of the three case studies responds to research objective two (2) of this study in Section 1.5. Presentation of the issues identified in each of the three case studies through chronological pattern matching of events.
Investigation of the three cases
The data is grouped into two, which include a description of the cases and a presentation of the problems identified in each case. As shown in Table 4, all three selected case studies required a mandatory full EIA to be carried out. The data collection methodology used in this study was flexible enough to allow for the collection of information from different sources, as discussed in Chapter 3.
Case study 1: agro-processing plant at masaka- kigali
Description of the project
Bakki pirojektichaa giddugala magaalaa Kiigaalii irraa gara bahaatti km 19 fagaatee Zoonii Daldala Walabaa Kiigaalii yaadameetti dhihootti argama. Bakki kun naannoo daandii guddaa Kiigaalii irraa gara daangaa Kaagituumbaa Ruwaandaa fi Yugaandaa gidduu jirutti argama. Bakki kun Aanaa Gasaboo Damee Rusororoo keessatti kan argamu yoo ta’u, gara kibbaatti Damee Masakaa Aanaa Kicukiroo kan daangessudha (Inyange Industries EIA Report, SGS, 2007).
Main Aspects in the EIA process for Agro-processing plant
This is an indication that the area will most likely be occupied by residential areas in the coming years.
Role of PP in the EIA process: Agro-processing Plant
At this meeting, among the concerns raised by local residents, mainly centered on how community members could access jobs from the new industry, and only one community person questioned how the new industry would handle the factory effluent. In response to these questions, the EIA advisor assured the local community that the project would give first priority to the residents of the area. Regarding the issue of waste management, the EIA consultant who conducted the study responded that a detailed waste management plan that would include treatment, proper storage and disposal was developed for the proposed project.
Case study 2: Kigali Free Trade Zone (KFTZ)
Description of the Project
The site for the proposed FTZ is located in the Munini area of Gasabo District on the eastern side of Kigali city. According to (Rugege, 2004), the first draft environmental impact assessment and final environmental impact assessment reports for the proposed free trade and export processing zone indicate that the project will consist of two categories of heavy and light industry. RIEPA), MINICOM plans to establish a free trade and export zone for investors (Rugege, 2004a).
Main Aspects in the EIA process for Kigali Free Trade Zone
The conclusions of the EIA report carried out in 2004 were not final in determining the initiation of the actual construction process of the free trade zone. This was identified by the consultant as a result of gaps in the information available to the consultant for a comprehensive analysis. Unfortunately, these critical issues were ignored right from the preparation of the first EIA draft in 2004 to the final EIA studies in 2007.
Role of PP in the EIA process for case study 2
However, there are other community members in the project area who could have been involved. This was necessary despite the fact that the manner in which the actual residents were evacuated was not recorded in the EIA report. Most of these affected community members lived near the project site and were not involved or consulted in the entire EIA process.
Case study 3: 20 megawatts thermal power plant at jabana
Description of the Project
Initial surveys of the project site began in 2006 (Kodiaga, 2007) and the first site was identified close to the Jabana Power Plant 1. The project required identification of the suitable site for the plant, compensation of the landowners, and the land to be approved for construction to install diesel engines to generate electricity. Including the land area for installing the plant, the engine hall, the control building and the fuel processing house, all required for the 20 MW thermal power plant.
Main Aspects of the EIA process for 20 MW power plant
The new site identified as suitable for the project was found to have three houses/structures in the immediate vicinity. In connection with the mentioned challenges, UERP and Elektrogaz had to find an alternative location for the project. REMA considered that the location is suitable for the proposed project (EIA report for thermal power plant, 2007).
Role of PP in the EIA process for case study 3
This obviously meant higher costs for the project, which was not budgeted for in the World Bank/International Development Association (IDA) loan allocation (Kodiaga, 2007). Regarding the technical and procedural requirements for PP in the EIA process by the World Bank/IDA funded projects, the 20 MW thermal power project required public involvement and input at all phases. As mentioned in the EIA report, a stakeholder mapping was conducted during the scoping exercise aimed at identifying IAPs for the project (Kodiaga, 2007).
Introduction
Barriers to effective PP in the EIA process
The IAP was not consulted in the free trade zone environmental impact assessment process. Table 10 below summarizes the stages of the EIA process and the level of compliance in the three case studies reviewed. In only two case studies (agricultural product processing and a 20 MW power plant) were IAPs informed of the ongoing proposed development.
Views of IAP’s on the effectiveness of the EIA process in Rwanda
Stakeholder involvement in the environmental impact assessment process in Rwanda was considered ineffective, with 61% of questionnaire respondents citing this as a problem. The interview participants were also asked about their opinion on the importance of PP in the environmental impact assessment process. More than 76% of respondents emphasized that stakeholder consultation and involvement are very important in EIA.
Conclusion
This perception was investigated in detail by analyzing the questionnaire responses to the open questions or additional comments made by the respondents were taken into account in this section (See appendix, 1&2). Due to the perceived limitation of early public involvement in the EIA process, the need for formal PP guidelines was often cited by stakeholders as most effective in promoting meaningful PP in the EIA process.
Introduction
The result in table 10, chapter 5 confirms the ineffectiveness of PP in the EIA process in the three case studies examined. Views from IAPs in Rwanda indicate that the requirement for PP in the EIA process is purely theoretical. Only one of the respondents referred to the lack of access to decision-making in the EIA process by the IAP in Rwanda.
Conclusions
During the interview conducted, it became clear that REMA officials were not concerned about the limited IAP's participation in the EIA process. This practice of ignoring IAPs in the decision-making process as required by the EIA process in Rwanda explains the lack of confidence in the EIA process and insufficient political will to ensure effective PP in the EIA process. Logistical support for adequate implementation and monitoring of IAPs' participation in the EIA process requires strengthening.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Need to established formal EIA PP guidelines
- Early public involvement
- Increased exchange of information in an accessible and timely form
- A follow-up of compliance and enforcement mechanism
According to the literature reviewed, early PP in the EIA process minimizes litigation that sometimes arises during actual project implementation and contributes to financial losses and unintended delays (Shepherd, 1997; Abaza et al 2004). However, in practice it is complex and challenging as it requires political will and a vibrant civil society grouping in the long term to ensure effective PP in the EIA process in Rwanda. Therefore, there is a need to create a clear two-way communication between all actors in the EIA process.
TOPICS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH
Assessment of the effectiveness of environmental impact assessment in promoting sustainable development (case study Germany), M.Sc. Currently, little research has been conducted on the views of interested and affected parties (IAPs) in the EIA process in Rwanda. What are the weaknesses of current EIA practice in delivering meaningful PP in Rwanda.
