Executive Order of 2024 on Establishment, Adoption and Implementation of a Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-Intensive Agricultural Investments (FRILIA)

1. ADOPTION OF THE FRILIA PRINCIPLES Adherence to fundamental and core principles that drive international best practices, such as those based on the Principles of Responsible I nvestment in Agriculture and Food Systems and related principles and guidance into the development of agribusiness in the State for sustainable economic growth and development. They consist of, but are not restricted to: (1) A strong and effective grievance redress mechanism that provides easily accessible and reasonably priced procedures for third-party dispute resolution while taking into account the availability of legal recourse, community resources, and traditional dispute resolution mechanisms should be established in order to acknowledge and defend land rights (including common, informal, and customary rights to resources) and prevent the eviction of lawful tenure right holders or their partial treatment (2) Acknowledge and defend land rights (including common, informal, and customary rights to resources) by preventing the eviction of lawful tenure right holders or their partial treatment throug h: prompt payment of adequate compensation in cash, alternative land or ot her forms of compensation, including supplemental livelihood restoration; and establishing a strong and efficient grievance redress mechanism that offers easily accessible and reasonably priced procedures for third-party dispute resolution while taking into account the availability of j udicial recourse, community and traditional dispute resolution mechanisms. (3) Respect environmental protection measures to prevent harm to the environment and to society. Investments will be the subject of independent assessments of potential positive and negative consequences on tenure rights, food security, livelihood, the environment, the rights and/or status of women and youth, and tangible cultural property before approval or any final decision to proceed. The safety of the community, individuals, and employees shall be safeguarded, and their equitable treatment, devoid of discrimination, will be guaranteed. :Mll\.'f}STRY OF JUSTICE AKURE, QNIX) STATE. On - (4) A range of inclusive investment and production models will be taken into consideration, the investment will be carried out transparently, land acquisitions requiring either voluntary or involuntary resettlement will be avoided or minimized, the investment will be subject to consultation and participation with all potentially affected communities, the affected communities will be given the opportunity and responsibility to make informed decisions regarding land acquisition, gender equality and the empowerment of women and youth will be promoted, and finally, the investment will be monitored. (5) That overarching investment will support and advance the government's policy objective.

2. THE ESTABLISHMENT, AUTHORITY, AND DUTIES OF THE FRILIA STEERING COMMITTEE (1) A Steering Committee has been established to be responsible for the overall coordination of the establishment, adoption and implementation of the Ondo State Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-Intensive Agricultural Investments (FRILIA). (2) The Steering Committee shall be chaired by the Governor, while the members will include: Commissioner for Agriculture and food Security; Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment; Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development; Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice; Commissioner for Local Government Affairs; Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development;Special Adviser on Land Matters; Chairman of theOndo Internal Revenue Service; and Director-General of Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security as the secretary to the Steering Committee. fiNISTRY OF JU STICE .AKURE.,. 0 IDO STATE. - (3) The Steering Committee's duties and authority will be to : (a) Ensure that the State's agri-business investments adhere to international best practices and the FRILIA principles, which include, but are not limited to: i. monitor the results of agribusiness investments, especially on how the compensation guidelines are being used; ii. promote environmental sustainability; iii. accept the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) for adoption and examine the GRM report; iv. the Ondo State Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-Intensive Agricultural Investment [FRILIA] will be established, and a high-level steering committee will be established to oversee its overall coordination; v. examine the land distributions to investors based on the technical committee's recommendations; vi. promote gender equality and empowerment of women and youth; vii. monitor the impact of agri-business investment, including the application of compensation standards; viii. promote transparency in agri-business investment in the state. (b) Approve tool kits, policies, guidelines, or the equivalent for adoption and distri bution so that investors can be guided through the development of land-intensive agricultural enterprises in Ondo State in a way that complies with FRILIA principles and global best practices. (c) Meet every quarter or more frequently as may be deemed necessary for t he efficient performance of its duties in order to assess the status of investments and projects fl1\"LSIR'Y OF JUSTICE <URE, 0 UX) ST TE. -=----- and to discuss any particular issue(s) that the governor may designate. (d) The Technical Committee's proposal, co-opt as many individuals or form as many committees as may be required to carry out its duties. (e) Perform whatever further actions deemed required or practical to ensure the organization's operations run smoothly. (f) Give the Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land- Intensive Agricultural Investment [FRILIA] approval for adoption and implementation.

3. ESTABLISHMENT, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE FRILIA TECHNICAL COMMITTEE. (1) A Technical Committee will be established to assist the Steering Committee in carrying out its mandate and achieving the goals outlined in this order. The Committee will be chaired by the Commissioner/Special Adviser on Land Matters, and two representatives from each of the following Ministries, Departments, and Agencies: Bureau of Land Services; Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency; Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Environment; Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security; Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Local Government Affairs; Office of Surveyor General; Ondo State Agricultural Development Project, Fadama Project, Representatives of private sector and a Civil Society Organization with Land investment expertise; Directorate of Farms settlement and Peasant Farmers Development, Forestry Commission, Ondo State Internal Revenue Services, SABER Program Manager, Agribusiness Officers and Director of Agriculture Services (Secretary). ,,,,. MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AKURE, ONDO STATE. 0d n 1$S LooGUH lSt '"",~ f' (2) The function and powers of the Technical Committee shall be to: (a) Conduct stakeholder mapping analysis that identifies all of the relevant stakeholders related to land-based investments; (b) Develop a Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land- Intensive Agricultural Investments (FRILIA); ( c) Identify the State's main concerns, priorities and principles related to land-based investments; (d) Establish a framework for community and stakeholder consultations and engagement; (e) Develop toolkit/guidelines/policies or equivalent to guide investors throughout the development of land-intensive agricultural projects in Ondo State that are consistent with the FRILIA principles and international best practices; (f) Prepare an implementation plan for FRILIA; (g) Monitor all land-based investments in the State and their compliance with FRILIA; (h) Conduct risk or benefit assessment that will assist the government in the implementation of agri-business projects/initiatives particularly land-based investment; (i) Perform such other function as the Steering Committee may from time to time deem necessary to achieve its function ; U) Publish periodical information on agri-business investments; ITSTRY OF JUSTIC E AKURE , ONDO STATE. • (k) Assist the development of a land bank for agri-business investment in the State, in particular seeking to ensure that acquisition of land for the land bank is done in a manner that is consistent with the FRILIA principles and international best practices; (I) Meet at least every month to consider reports from stakeholders, assign tasks and any special issue(s) as may be directed by Steering Committee; (m) Provide a monthly report to the Steering Committee; (n) Advise and assist the government in creating sustainable land-use and agri-business policy; (o) Perform such other function as the Steering Committee may from time to time deem necessary to achieve its function.

4. DEVELOPMENT AND ADOPTION OF FRILIA TOOLKITS/GUIDELINES/POLICIES OR EQUIVALENT The Technical Committee, as part of its mandate, shall develop toolkits/guidelines/policies or equivalent for the approval of the Steering Committee. These will lead investors throughout the development of land-intensive agricultural projects in Ondo State, ensuring investors and the appropriate MDAs are provided with adequate information to conform with FRILIA principles and worldwide best practices. This will involve, but not be restricted to, making it possible for responsible MDAs and investors to interact with communities, particularly those who possess local land rights, in an efficient manner. Stakeholder engagement; environmental and social impact assessment and risk management; land access, easement, and involuntary resettlement management; gender equality and the empowerment of women and youth; valuation and compensation; Global Memorandum of Understanding; community needs assessment and development; out-growers and food security are just U ITSTRY OFJUST ICEAKU RE,OND OSTAT E. ',,,. 0n -,~ IStLoooc..<1$£ ' \ a few of the topics covered by the toolkits, guidelines, policies, or equivalent.

5. ESTABLISHMENT OF GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM (GRM ) The Techn ical Comm ittee shall develop efficient grievance and dispute resolution procedures along with suitable appeal channels for investors, landowners, claimants, and host communities. International best practices and the FRILIA principles must be adhered to by the mechanisms. In addition, the Technical Committee Secretary will serve as the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) desk officer for FRILIA in Ondo State. The GRM will be set up so that it investigates and consults in the grievance areas, deliberates over complaints and appeals, evaluates them in light of applicable policies and procedures, and resolves all complaints and appeals with the appropriate Ministry, Department, or Agency official within 30 to 60 days of receipt. The Technical Committee will provide a briefing on concerns, complaints, and appeals that have been resolved as well as those that are still outstanding in its monthly report to the Steering Committee. NOW THEREFORE, I, LUCKY ORIM ISAN AIYED ATIW A, GOVERNOR OF ONDO STATE, BY VIRTUE OF THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THE 1999 CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA (AS AMENDED) AND THE LAWS OF ONDO STATE, HEREBY ORDER AS FOLLOWS: i. That it shall be Government policy to accelerate large-scale agribusiness investments based on international best practices of land principles and guidelines to improve business enabling environment for economic development of Ondo State. ii. FRILIA would address critical challenges, reforms, and investment priorities required in the agricultural value chains, financial sector regulatory reforms, and land reforms to facilitate agricultural and non-agricultural investment opportunities. MTh-"l STRYO FJUST ICEAK URE,O NDOST ATE. • iii. FRILIA shall specifically bridge the gap between investors and host communities, to put in place laid down procedures for investments to ensure a win-win approach to all the stakeholders as well as management of environmental and social sustainability. iv. To ensure the implementation and operationalization of FRILIA in line with the Ondo State Business Policy, the Government Departments and Agencies shall collaborate to achieve the result area to remove obstacles to agribusiness investment opportunities.

1. This Order shall be implemented consistent with applicable Laws of Ondo State.

2. This Order is not intended to, and does not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the Government of Ondo State, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. THIS EXECllTlVE ORDER SHAU. TAKE EFFECT FROM THE DATE OF ISSUANCE OF THIS ORDER. ISSUED UNDER MY HAND THIS ~ DAY OF ~ ~-- 2024. ~ Mr. Lucky Or1misan Aiyedatiwa Governor Ondo State