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

EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING FRILIA IN EDO STATE CamScanner ED□ STATE GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA EXECUTIVE ORDER N□ .................... 2024 ESTABLISHMENT. ADOPTION, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF FRAMEWORK FOR RESPONSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE LAND­ INTENSIVE AGRICULTURAL INVESTMENTS (FRILIA) ORDER Whereas: A. The Eda State Government (EDSG). in a bid to improve the investment climate. intends ta develop a Framework far Responsible and Inclusive Land-Intensive Agricultural Investments (FRILIA). The framework ensures that land acquisition and resettlement for large-scale agribusiness investment are undertaken in line with established international goad practices and guarantee shared benefits between private investors and surrounding communities. B. The government of Eda State aims to deepen agribusiness reforms, including a win-win approach ta stakeholders on land and investment. C. FRILIA as a framework aims ta improve access ta large-scale investment. gainful employment on large-scale farms, sufficient income, and protection from the volatility of agricultural labour and product markets. The framework is designed ta ensure adherence ta principles that caver overarching investment. recognition and protection of land rights. state land acquisition and resettlement. and environmental and social responsibility. 0. To achieve the Government's objective of creating and enabling a responsible and inclusive business operating environment far large-scale agribusiness investments in Eda State, I. Senator Monday Okpebhala, Governor, Eda State of Nigeria in the exercise of the authority vested an me by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, ISSS (as amended) and the Laws of Eda State. including but not limited ta the Land Use Regulation 2022. and by virtue of all other powers enabling me in that behalf do hereby order and direct as fallows: I. Government Policy an Agri-business Investment: It shall he the government's policy to accelerate large-scale agribusiness investments based an international best practices of land principles and guidelines, aimed at improving the business enabling environment far the State's economic development. 2. Objectives of FRILIA: FRILIA will address critical challenges in agricultural value chains, financial sector regulatory reforms, and land reforms to facilitate investment opportunities in both agricultural and nan-agricultural sectors. 3. Bridging the Gap and Ensuring Sustainability: https://v3.camscanner.com/user/download CamScanner FRILIA shall specifically bridge the gap between investors und host cammunitlos by laying down investmont procudures to ensure a win-win approach for all stakeholders. It will also prioritlzo environmental and social sustainability management. 4. Implementation and Collaboration: To ensure the implementation and operationalization of FRILIA in line with the Business Enabling Reform Action Plan (BERAP). the Government. Departments. and Agencies shall collaborate to remove obstacles to agribusinoss investment opportunities. 5. Adaption af FRILIA Principles Adherence to Core Principles: (a) The investment plan shall consistently support the government's policy objective. (b) The investment process shall be conducted transparently. avoiding or minimizing land acquisitions requiring resettlement. Inclusive investment and production models will be considered, with consultation and participation of affected communities. Gender equality and empowerment of women and youth will be fostered. Investments shall be monitored to meet set standards. (c) Acknowledgment and uphold of land rights. ensuring protection against unjust land dispossession. A strong grievance resolution system shall be established. considering legal recourse. community, and traditional conflict resolution mechanisms. (d) Ensuring fairness and transparency in land acquisition and resettlement. disclosing and consistently applying compensation standards. Addressing economic and social impacts with adequate compensation and supplementary livelihood improvement or restoration. (e) Ensuring environmental and social sustainability. conducting independent assessments before approving investments, protecting the safety and rights of the community. individuals. and workers without discrimination. S. Establishment, Powers, and Functions af the FRILIA Steering Committee (I) There is hereby established a Steering Committee (Committee) responsible for the coordination of the establishment. adoption and implementation of the Eda State Framework for Responsible and Inclusive land­ intensive Agricultural Investments (FRILIA): (2) The Governor shall be the Chairperson of the Committee, and the members shall include: (a) Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security: (b) Commissioner for Business. Trade and Cooperatives: (c) Commissioner far Finance; (d) Honourable Attorney-General 6 Commissioner far Justice (e) Commissioner far local Government Affairs; (f) Commissioner far Physical Planning. Housing, Regional and Urban Development; (g) Commissioner for Social Development and Gender Affairs; (h) Chairman Eda Internal Revenue Servica: https://v3.camscanner.com/user/download CamScanner (I) Mu111111i11n Olr111:tm· 111 Edn Stnt11 lnvm:111111111 Prrn1111ll1111 Ollh:u (ESIPO): (i) l1111·111111m11t Sur.rutury, Ministry 111 A1wh:11ltw·u 1111d Fund Sm:urily us thu 1:m:l'lllory tu tho Stenring G11n11ultt1111. (3) f11111:lin11s 111111 Pnw11rs: (a) Ensuri1111 ngl'ihusinnss lnvnstmnnts nlion with fllll.lA prl111:l11lu:; 11ml lnturnullunul lmi:I 111·ur;th:us. (bl Prmnnlinn trnnspnroncy, lm:l11slv11 prmlll(:tlun 11111dul~. suluuunrd muu::uras, nnd rnur1llarlnn of Impact. (1:) Am1r11vi11n 11du11tl1111 nf FRILIA, toolkits, guldnlinus 1111d 1111111:lus. (d) Cu-opting innividunls or committcas ns nocnssary, (e) Mooting quurturly ta review progress, chnllungcs, and other rclnvant Issues. 7. Establishmont. Powers, and Functions of tho FRILIA Technical Committ1m (I} There is hereby established a Technical Committee for FRILIA. (2) Composition The Managing Director of Eda State Investment Promotion Office shall be the Chairperson of the Technical Committee, other members are as follows: (a) an officer not below the rank of a Director and a principal officer from the: (i) Eda Geographic Information Service: (ii) Ministry of Business, Trade, and Cooperatives: (iii) Ministry of Finance; (iv) Ministry of Environment and Sustainability; (v) Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security: (vi) Ministry of Justice: (vi) Ministry of Local Government Affairs: (vii) Ministry of Physical Planning. Housing, Regional and Urban Development: (viii) Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs: (ix) Office □ f the Surveyor General: (x) Eda State Agricultural Development Project: (xi) Eda State Forestry Commission; (xii) Eda State lntarnal Rovonua Sorvlcas: (xiii) fadama Project; (b) Raprummluliv11s lrarn thu Pr·lvutu S111:t11r: (c) Rcprr,i;rmtulivus f rum u Civil Sacluty Ornunlrnlion with ox110rtiso In land investment: (d) Farm:; Suttlumont und Pansnnt Fnrmnrs llovolo1111111nt: https://v3.camscanner.com/user/download CamScanner (a) SABEi~ Pronrum Mu11111111r; (I) Anrlbusinuss Ollh:urn: 111111 (g} Oirur.tur of Aurii:ullurn Survh:us (who :;hull ~11rv1i rm 11111 Sur:rntnry nl lhu laclrnicnl Commillr.1J}, (3) Functions nnJ Puwurs: (a) Oovulopinu FRILIA: (b) Prupuring a land invustmunt slrutnny nnrl l11111lmnunlnliun 1111111: (c) Oavoloplng toolkits. guldolinos nnrl puliclus fur lnnd-intum;lve ngriculturul projni:t:;; (d} lntugruting sustuinuble lnnd usn 11rn1:tlr:11s, unvironmuntul c:unscrvaliun, and :mciul inclu~iDn: (c) Conducting risk usscssmonts und nrlvlslng 1111 ngribusinm::; pnllr:y: (I) Monitoring complloncu with rugulutiuns and fusturlng r:ullaburatiun with stakeholders; (g) Facilitating dialaguus with kny stokuhuldurs im:ludlnu privota s1Jctor and civil society rcprermntatives, monitoring progress, and providing qunrtel'ly reports to the Stcr:rinu Committee; (a) Perform such other functions as the Stoerina Committee may occasionally deem necessary to achieve its function. (b) The Technical Committee shall operate with a commitment to promoting sustainable development, social equity. and environmental stewardship in all land-based investment activities within Eda State 8. Establishment af a Grievance Redress Mechanism (I} A Grievance Redress Committee is hereby Constituted to address disputes related to land-based investments under the FRILIA framework, upholding principles of transparency, impartiality, and for expeditious resolution, of disputes within its defined mandate. (2) Composition of the Grievance Redress Committee: The Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ministry of Justice or his representative not below the rank of a Director shall be the Chairman of the Committee, and the members shall include: {a} Secretary of the Committee; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment and Sustainability; {b} Legal Representative; A senior director from the Ministry of Justice; {c) Community Representative; Acknowledged Community leaders; (d) Industry Expert: A reputable farmer (e) Mediation Specialist A representative from the Multi-Door Courthouse or Citizens Mediation Centre (MOJ): (0 EnvironmentBI Expert A representative from the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability; (g} liaison officer: To be appointed by the committee; (h} Gender and lnclusivlty Rcprosontotivo; A representative from the Ministry uf Sur:lul Development and Gender Issues. https://v3.camscanner.com/user/download CamScanner This divarsu r.nrn110sitiu11 11ns111·us n 11111ltl-dl1111nrnlnn11I 111111 [1111' 11pprnnr.h lu uddrusslnu urluvancrw, lor.tcring transpnrnncy. ur.cu11nlnhilily, nnd lncluslvlly in Ed11 St11111':~ 1111v111·11nni:n lr111n11work. 9. Davalopmont and Adoption of FRILIA Toolkits, Guldolinos, Pollclos or Its Equivolont Tiie lnchnlcnl Co111millm1 Is um1rnwurnd tu dovnlnp tnnlklls, uuldnlhrns, pulh:ins, or aqulvalr.nl for approval by the Steering Cam111iltuu, lhosu tnuls will nsslsl lnvnslnrs 111 duvul11pl110 lnnd-lnlansiva agricultul'lll project:; in Edu State, ensuring compliancn wilh FlllllA prlnciplos 111111 lnlal'llullunnl hnsl pl'm:tlcus. The tunlkil. guidelinas, policill!; or equivalent will covar vurinus nspucts such as stukuhnldur 1111nuunmunt, unvironmental and social impact asse:rnment and risk management. lnnd nccass, aosomant. und lnvuluntnry raseltlanrnnl managsmanl. gm1dar equality, and the empowerrnant of woman and youth, vnluulion and i:nmpunsoliun, Global Momorandum uf Undr.rstanding, community needs assessmunt and dovelopnrnnl. uut-ornwnrs. n11d food sacurity, Additionally, it will enable investors and responsible MDAs to consult with comrnunltios, including lar:nl land rights holders, effectively. ID. This order shall be implnnrnnted consistently with the applicnbla laws of Eda State. 11. 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 tho Government of Eda State, its Ministries. Departments, Agencies, or anybody, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. 12. That all Ministries, Agencies, and Departments of the Eda State Government and all persons dealing with same shall give all necessary support and facilitate the process leading to the issuance of same. 13. This Order supersedes the Executive Order issued an the 29th day of December 2023 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and official seal the ....... !.:2 .. \ ................. day of December 2024. SENAT□R M□N.OAY □KPEBH□L□ G□VERN□~D□ STATE https://v3.camscanner.com/user/download