Request for expressions of Interest for Expressions of Interest for Environmental Impact Assessment of Rail Lines Rehabilitation and Extension

Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC)
The Public Private Partnership (PPP) Project

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has obtained a credit from the International Development Association (IDA) and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this credit to payments for the services of a reputable and qualified consultant to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Lagos - Kano and Port Harcourt – Jos Rail lines and the port related railway extensions, namely Apapa to Tin Can Island and Port Harcourt to Onne which the ICRC plans to implement in Nigeria.

In seeking to implement the rehabilitation and extension and/or concession of the rail lines, ICRC intends to comply with all relevant national and international environmental requirements in order to meet legal obligations.
The EIA study activities to be carried out by the Consultant are outlined in the tasks specified below:

• Conduct baseline studies that are required to characterize the existing environment;
• Assess the types of alternatives to be considered;
• Assess consultations with relevant stakeholders via Stakeholder mapping;
• Assess the significance of both positive and negative impacts by weighting them against local conditions and establish limits to acceptable change.
• Assess detailed project descriptions, including general layout & physical descriptions, ancillary systems & facilities, operational control systems, and project implementation descriptions
• Detailed descriptions of the existing environmental and socio-economic situation that incorporates stakeholder consultations, literature reviews and field studies.
• Health & safety, environmental and socio-economic impact assessments that include qualitative and quantitative risk assessments among other tools and techniques.
• Proposed mitigating and ameliorating measures as applied to the rail lines’ rehabilitation/construction and operations impacts.
• Environmental Management Plans that appropriately incorporate monitoring, mitigation and management systems that are consistent with identified impacts and that provide a contingency for unforeseen impact.

Task 1. Description of the proposed project.
The Consultant shall provide a detailed description of the proposed project components.

Task 2. Legislative and Regulatory considerations.
The Consultant shall identify and briefly discuss the pertinent regulations and standards governing environmental quality, health and safety, protection of sensitive areas, protection of endangered species, CITES, etc., at international, national, regional and local levels.

Task 3. Description of the Baseline Environment.
The consultant shall assemble and evaluate baseline data on the environmental characteristic of the study area. Include information on any changes anticipated before the project commences.

Task 4. Determination of the Potential Impacts of the Proposed Project.
The Consultant shall assess the impacts from changes brought about by the project on the relevant baseline environmental conditions as described above under Task 3.

Task 5A. Analysis of Alternatives to the Propose Project.
The Consultant shall include an analysis of reasonable alternatives to meet the ultimate project objective.

Task 5B. Selection of the ROW for Apapa-Tine Island.
Assess the optimal railway routing for the Apapa-Tin Can Island railway extension in order to minimize environmental impact and avoid involuntary resettlement.

Task 6. Development of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
Estimate the impacts and costs of the mitigation measures and of the institutional and training requirements to implement them

Task 7. Public Consultations process or stakeholder involvement:
The consultant will conduct stakeholder mapping that will enable ICRC to gain an appreciation of who is interested and may be involved.

Task 8. Development of Environmental Management Plans (EMPs)
Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) will be developed and used as a tool in the construction and operation of the rail lines to minimize and mitigate significant negative impacts from the project.

Task 9. Identification of Institutional Needs to Implement Environmental Assessment Recommendations.
The consultant shall carry out a review of the authority and capability of institutions at local, regional, and national levels and recommend steps to strengthen or expand them.

Task 10. Development of a Monitoring Plan.
The Consultant shall prepare a detailed plan to monitor the implementation of mitigating measures and the impacts of the project during construction and operation phases.

Task 11. Assist in Inter-Agency Coordination and Public/NGO Participation.
The Consultant shall assist in coordinating the environmental assessment with other government agencies, in obtaining the views of local NGO’s and interested and affected groups.

Submission of Expressions of the Interest (EOIs)
Prospective consultant should submit an Expression of Interest detailing the following information as basis for p re-qualification:

• Profile of the firm including ownership
• Track records in Environmental impact Assessment
• Relevant experience in the rail sector (including technical competence);
• Copies of unabridged audited financial statement for the last 3yrs
• Experience working in Nigeria or Sub-Saharan Africa
• Evidence of alliance/partnership between consortium member if applicable

The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers, January 1997 (Revised September 1997, January 1999, May 2002, May 2004 and October 2006)

Expressions of Interest must be submitted in six (6) copies in a sealed envelope clearly marked “Expressions of Interest for Environmental Impact Assessment of Rail Lines Rehabilitation and Extension”. A CD-ROM version should also be included

Closing Date
The expressions of interests should be addressed and delivered not later than 5.00pm on October 23, 2012 as addressed below:

Nelson T. Hundumofore
Project Procurement
Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission
Plot 1270, Ayngba Street
Area 11, Garki,
Abuja
E-mail: n.hundumofore@icirc.gov.ng

Interested applicants may obtain further information at the address above from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday through Friday (except public holidays)

Only short-listed Consultants will be contacted.
Express of Interest through email or fax will not be entertained