Executive Order no. 1 of 2024 on Establishment of Yobe State Adoption of a Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-Intensive Agriculture (FRILIA)

YOBE STATE GOVERNMENT AN EXECUTIVE ORDER FOR THE ADOPTION OF A FRAMEWORK FOR RESPONSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE LAND INTENSIVE AGRICULTURE IN YOBE STATE. OCTOBER, 2024 Executive Order No. 001 of ………day of October, 2024 ESTABLISHMENT OF YOBE STATE ADOPTION OF A FRAMEWORK FOR RESPONSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE LAND INTENSIVE AGRICULTURE (Herein after referred to as FRILIA). NOW THEREFOR by the authority vested in me as Executive Governor of Yobe State by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and in order to promote the State Inclusiveness and Land Intensive Agricultural programme, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Establishment. The Yobe State Adoption of a Framework for Responsible Inclusive and Land Intensive Agriculture is hereby established. Section 2. Mission. Considering the State vast arable land for agriculture which plays a vital role as a means of livelihood in the State, as about 70% of the population in the State rely on agriculture as their source of income and sustenance;  Agriculture provides numerous jobs to the population in the state thus the policy on agriculture to ensure the that there is conducive environment available in the sector for businesses to thrive;  The State Government is committed to ensuring that all lands acquired for the purposes of large agri-business investments are adequately compensated or resettled in accordance with international best practices. This will open up the state for long-term socio-economic and environmental benefits, where host communities will also be guaranteed benefits.  Implementing FRILIA in Yobe State will create jobs and provide access to gainful investments in agriculture. FRILIA will ensure adherence to land right, acquisition, resettlements, social and environmental responsibility are followed based on international principles and guidelines.  Embarking on FRILIA project will increase Yobe State visibility in terms of agri-business private investments. Considering the principles and modus-operandi of such project, crises and conflicts between pastoralists, communities, farmers and investors will be drastically reduced. Section 3. PRINCIPLES OF FRILIA INVESTMENT PRINCIPLES: a) There shall be consistency in terms of overarching investments in order to align with government policy and objectives b) Ensure that affected communities are carried along, informed and are responsible regarding land acquisition for the project c) The Gender equality, women and youth empowerment during the project shall be a priority d) There shall be proper and sufficient monitoring from the beginning to the final stage of the investment project. Section 4. Land Rights Protection in FRILIA a) Land owners/holders with legitimate titles be protected regardless whether they are statutory, customary or informal. b) Legitimate land possession shall be safeguarded against illegal confiscation c) Transparency in the investment is a priority to minimise voluntary and involuntary resettlements, such will reduce adverse effect or conflicts from land acquisition, involving the communities in the investment increases communities confidence in the project for sustenance d) During the projects all community or public infrastructure that may be affected shall be replaced or restored e) Where communities would lose income there shall be measured to reduce the losses and improve means of livelihoods. Section 5. Environmental and Social Sustainability a) Environmental protection is a priority in Yobe State. All FRILIA investments that require environmental analysis shall be conducted before proceeding with the project. This is to ensure environmental, social, physical and cultural aspects communities are protected from potential harm b) There shall be no forced labour or child labour or sexual harassments for workers and prevent all kinds of discrimination. This shall offer equal opportunity for workers c) The use of hazardous materials shall be minimised, where good practices shall be promoted d) Any activity that would escalate climate change and damage to fauna and flora shall be reduced and alternative be provided. Section 6. Establishment and composition of FRILIA Steering Committee A Steering committee is hereby established to implement and oversee activities of FRILA in the State. The committee is to implement, steer and monitor the direction of FRILIA The committee shall include the following as Chairman and members: a) Executive Governor as Chairman b) The deputy governor as Vice-Chairman c) Secretary to the State Government d) Commissioners of the following ministries; i. Agriculture and Natural Resources, ii. Justice, iii. Environment, iv. Commerce, v. Housing and Urban Development, vi. Budget and Economic Planning, vii. Finance and Economic Development, viii. Women Affairs, and ix. Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, e) Director General YOGIS, f) Director General PPP, g) Managing Director Yobe Investment Company Limited, h) Assistant Secretary to SABER committee to serve as Secretary. Section 7. Functions and powers of the Steering Committee: a) Promote transparency in land acquisition and resettlement for FRILIA b) Promote agri-business by upholding the principles of FRILIA c) Ensure there is transparency in the process of investments in the communities d) Ensure environmental protection and promoting its sustainability e) Promote adequate acquisition of land against dispossession f) The steering committee may give directive to the technical committee on certain functions and expected to get a report from the technical committee for it final decisions g) Review any allocation of land to investors as recommended by the technical committee h) Create sub-committee for effective discharge of the committee’s functions i) The committee can create administrative units in order to effectively implement the executive oder of the FRILIA j) The committee may seek advice from any person or co-opt as a member as the committee sees the value of the individual k) The committee is expected to meet quarterly to consider and expedite actions on certain items as well review the progress of the project l) Perform any other function as may be directed by the Governor. Section 8. Establishment and composition of the FRILIA Technical Committee a) The Technical Committee for FRILIA is hereby established and approved to provide the needed technical assistance and specialised expertise and guidance on the technical aspects of FRILIA to the steering committee b) The committee shall be chaired by the head of Agency responsible for investment promotion and facilitation c) The membership of the committee include: I. Director Land Admin YOGIS II. Director Investment Promotion PPPI III. Director Development Control Min of H& Urban Dev. IV. Director Planning Min of Budget & Planning V. Director from Min of Finance VI. Director Legal Draft Min. of Justice VII. Director Environmental Min of Environment VIII. Director Local Chieftaincy Min for Local Government IX. Director Agric services Min of Agriculture X. Secretary of the committee Section 9. Functions of the Technical Committee. a) Carry out comprehensive technical assessment of proposal of land acquisition and ensure it is within FRILIA’s principles and international best practices b) Make recommendations to the steering committee on large scale land acquisitions and technical analysis on feasibility, social and environmental adverse impacts of FRILIA proposal c) Before considering large scale land acquisition the committee shall ensure there is the following: I. Access of information II. Gender and social inclusion III. Citizen involvement d) Provide and assess environmental sustainability and guidance on land use by ensuring that there is efficient utilisation of agricultural resources and make recommendation of potential adverse effect of proposal on biodiversity and other natural resources e) Assess and evaluate the impacts of large scale land acquisition on communities ensuring its well-being and inclusiveness f) Identify relevant MDAs that require capacity building and are involved in the implementation of FRILIA and such training are provided g) Ensure that there is consistent research and development in order for FRILIA to have the emerging technologies to improve large scale agri- business in alignment with International Best Practises h) Assess resettlement and land administration matters in accordance with international practises in terms land acquisition i) Design and develop a robust monitoring and evaluation tool that would ensure adaptability and changes during implementation of FRILIA j) Provide technical expertise in terms of conflict resolution to ensure harmonious relationship between communities, investors and stakeholders as well as identifying and make recommendations to existing government policies or regulation to align with principles of FRILIA implementation. k) The technical committee shall meet at least once every month to review proposal and consider reports from stakeholders and any other matter as may be directed by the steering committee or the Executive Governor l) The committee shall convene a meeting with a quorum of simple majority m) They shall submit monthly reports to the steering committee n) The committee shall collaborate with the steering committee to design a mechanism for educating stakeholders, investors and communities on the importance of inclusive and intensive agriculture o) The committee shall collaborate with relevant government offices to assess the finance implication of implementing FRILIA and make the necessary budgetary proposal and funding mechanism p) The committee shall come up with a document to regulate investors activities and protect communities, infrastructure, environment and investors for FRILIA considering its principles and international practises q) The committee shall facilitate development of land bank for agri-business investment in the state. Section 10. Establishment composition of Grievances Redress Committee The steering committee shall constitute the Grievances and Redress Committee where the membership shall include representatives from the following MDAs and community 1) The representative of the Attorney General as Chairman; 2) YOGIS; 3) PPP; 4) Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning; 5) Min for Local government and chieftaincy affairs; 6) CSOs and community organisations; 7) Ministry of Women affairs; 8) Community leaders and religious leaders. Section 11. Functions of the Grievances Redress Committee. The committee shall have the following responsibilities and function: a) Accept complaints and document of grievances from communities, investors, stakeholders and individual on matters related to land acquisition and its uses a. Communities’ rights shall be protected through grievances redress technique, where disputes be settled through dialogues, community tradition resolution mechanism. Communities shall have judicial recourse rights after other avenues are exhausted b. Priority shall be given to amicable resolution of disputes and grievances through dialogues, c. Grievances shall be investigated thoroughly on how it emanated in order to find a desirable solution, d. Communities shall be educated on the importance of grievance and redress committee and the functions of the committee Issued under my hand this …………. Day of ……………………. 2024. Hon. Mai Mala Buni The Executive Governor Yobe State