From June 13th to 17th, 2022

LOETH Project – African Development Bank visit

SIPH has been financially supported by the (African Development Bank) AfDB as part of its development plan in the West African sub-region. Following the agreement signed on January 15th, 2022, twelve and a half million euros loan (€ 12.5Mio) was disbursed to support the increase in SIPH's rubber primary processing capacities as well as the renewal and extension of existing plantations.

To begin, a mission to support the implementation of the project was organized from June 13th to 17th, 2022. The AfDB delegation was led by Project Manager Mr. Daniel M'PENG, accompanied by investment officer Ms. Christelle N'GUESSAN, Beya BCHIR in charge of environmental safeguards and Chantal EKRA, in charge of social safeguards.

The main goal of the mission was to assess the state of implementation of the environmental and social action plan included in the financing agreement, along with the progress of the plant’s construction works and the implementation of the environmental and social management plan (ESMP) of the project.

After contacting with the SIPH management team during which the LOETH project, the environmental and social action plan, and the financial performance of SIPH were presented, the delegation went to the LOETH project construction site in the northern outskirts of the town of Soubré.

The visit started with a health and safety induction and then continued with the presentation of the status of implementation of the ESMP.

The tour of the site allowed the delegation to assess the worker’s implementation and compliance of health, safety, and environmental protection rules in the field. Emphasis was placed on pedestrian circulation and construction machinery, the staff waiting area in the car park, and the market where they eat.

At the end of the visit, the AfDB delegation made recommendations:

• Review the site's traffic plan to eliminate conflict areas between pedestrians and construction machinery and identify assembly areas in case of emergencies.
• Develop two parking areas for workers' pick-up buses and sensitize drivers aware on the risks of falling.
• Update the ESMP site by identifying the HSE indicators to be monitored and included in monthly reports and by integrating the site operation component.

The mission also recalled the need to set up a mechanism to manage and monitor grievances, and complaints from workers and surrounding communities, as well as the importance of monitoring staff illnesses and medical consultations.

The delegation concluded that the implementation of environmental and social measures was satisfactory and reiterated the availability of the AfDB to support SIPH on other projects in Côte d'Ivoire and elsewhere.