В штате Экити провели обучение подрядчиков по экологическим стандартам для реализации проекта «Зона знаний»

The Ekiti State Government has intensified efforts to prevent environmental, social and safety challenges from disrupting the $94.8 million Ekiti Knowledge Zone project, as contractors and other stakeholders received training on safeguards required for sustainable project delivery. The training, organised by the Ekiti Knowledge Project Implementation Unit (PIU), focused on equipping contractors and project personnel with the knowledge required to comply with environmental and social standards throughout the construction and implementation of the Knowledge Zone. The session brought together representatives of the PIU, contractors, the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCEC), the Ministry of Women Affairs and Development, and other stakeholders. Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency and Project Coordinator of the Ekiti Knowledge Zone, Lolade Olutola, said the state could only achieve the vision behind the project if contractors delivered work that met high environmental, social and engineering standards. She said effective management of environmental and social concerns was critical to preventing grievances, accidents and other risks capable of undermining the timely delivery of major infrastructure projects. Olutola described the Knowledge Zone as a project rooted in the intellectual heritage of the Ekiti people and aligned with Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s vision of innovation, job creation and sustainable economic growth. ALSO READ: ECOWAS moves to establish regional carbon market platform to unlock climate finance She explained that the Knowledge Zone was not an ordinary infrastructure project but a $94.8 million special economic zone supported by an $80 million African Development Bank loan and $14.8 million in counterpart funding from the Ekiti State Government. She said the project was designed to position the state as a hub for digital innovation, entrepreneurship and knowledge-based industries, with expectations of generating thousands of jobs and significant economic benefits when fully operational. According to her, the training would ensure that everyone involved in the project understood the Environmental and Social (E&S) requirements guiding its implementation. The facilitator, Dr Tayo Taiwo, said the workshop was not designed merely to fulfil a requirement but to ensure that contractors understood and complied with the African Development Bank’s Environmental and Social Safeguards System. He urged project stakeholders to identify compliance gaps and address them before they developed into major problems. Taiwo stressed that construction projects could produce environmental and social impacts and therefore required proper mitigation measures. He also emphasised continuous stakeholder engagement, saying contractors must listen to community concerns and maintain communication throughout the life of the project. He highlighted the importance of Resettlement Action Plans and Livelihood Restoration Plans where project activities affect people’s livelihoods. He explained that individuals whose farms or other sources of livelihood were affected by project activities must receive appropriate support to restore their livelihoods. Among the participants, CCEC’s ESHS Specialist, Adeyemi Bamishile, said the training would help workers understand the rules guiding project implementation and reduce violations arising from ignorance. Another participant, Engineer Joseph Adam, described the training as insightful and educative, adding that the sessions had strengthened participants’ understanding of health, safety and environmental responsibilities and prepared them to minimise the negative effects of construction activities on workers and surrounding communities.