stakeholder engagement plan the interconnection …

VESTMOLTRANSGAZ S.R.L. IDNO 1014600024244

MD-2004, Republica Moldova mun. Chişinău str. Ștefan cel Mare 180. bir 515

IBAN: MD42AG000000022512333387 IBAN: MD07RN000000000225140151 tel +373 22 66 72 91, fax +373 22 29 10 40,

e-mail: [email protected]

www.vmtg.md

Revision Date Issued by Checked by Approved by

Document title:

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN

Document number:

Project: THE INTERCONNECTION OF THE ROMANIAN NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION PIPELINE WITH THE NATURAL GAS PIPELINE OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, PHASE II, IASI – UNGHENI – CHIȘINĂU ROUTE

Contents 1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 3

2. THE PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE SEP ............................................................................................ 4

2.1 Purpose ............................................................................................................................................... 4

2.2 Objectives of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan ................................................................................ 4

2.3 Principles of information disclosure and engagement of stakeholders ............................................. 5

3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................................................. 5

3.1 Location of the project ........................................................................................................................ 7

3.2 Project construction ............................................................................................................................ 8

3.3 The DN600 Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline ................................................................................... 9

3.4 Above-ground facilities ..................................................................................................................... 10

3.5 Direct, indirect and cumulated impact on the environmental factors and on the local communities,

protection measures from the perspective of the environmental agreement ...................................... 15

3.5.1 Environmental agreement for the Ungheni-Chisinau natural gas pipeline ............................... 15

3.5.2 Forecasted impact and envisaged stakeholder engagement mitigation measures .................. 15

4. EUROPEAN, NATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE INFORMATION AND PUBLIC CONSULTATION,

EBRD REQUIREMENTS, CORPORATE POLICIES AND INTERNAL DOCUMENTS OF THE COMPANY ............. 15

4.1 National legal framework ................................................................................................................. 16

4.2 EBRD requirements on information disclosure and stakeholder engagement ................................ 17

5. PROJECT STAKEHOLDERS ........................................................................................................................ 17

5.1 Identification of stakeholders ........................................................................................................... 17

5.2 Analysis of stakeholders and prioritization ....................................................................................... 18

5.3 Past stakeholder and public engagement and participation ............................................................ 31

5.3.1 Engagement during the pre-feasibility study ............................................................................. 31

5.3.2 Engagement during the ESIA phase ........................................................................................... 33

5.3.3 Engagement for land acquisition purposes (after the publication of Law no. 105/2017 .......... 34

5.3.4 Planned stakeholder engagement for 2019 - 2020 ................................................................... 37

6. GRIEVANCE MECHANISM ........................................................................................................................ 41

6.1 What could be considered a grievance ............................................................................................. 41

6.2 What is the Grievance Mechanism? ................................................................................................. 41

6.3 How to submit a grievance? ............................................................................................................. 41

6.3.1 Submitting grievances regarding land acquisition and easement ............................................. 41

6.3.2 Submitting grievances regarding construction and operation .................................................. 42

6.4 Grievance processing ........................................................................................................................ 43

6.4.1 Grievance processing regarding land acquisition and easement .............................................. 43

6.4.2 Grievance processing regarding construction and operation.................................................... 43

6.5 Grievance records ............................................................................................................................. 45

7. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN SEP IMPLEMENTATION ...................................................................... 45

8. MONITORING, REPORTING AND EVALUATION OF EFFECTIVENESS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SEP

.................................................................................................................................................................... 47

8.1 Monitoring ........................................................................................................................................ 47

8.2 Reporting........................................................................................................................................... 47

8.3 Evaluation of effectiveness ............................................................................................................... 47

Annex A ....................................................................................................................................................... 48

Annex B ....................................................................................................................................................... 49

1. INTRODUCTION This SEP is prepared in relation to Ungheni-Chișinău Gas Pipeline project. It sets out to the planned

program for disclosure of project information and consultation with stakeholders, as well as the

methods for recording and addressing comments and grievances from various stakeholders.

This Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) has been developed considering the provisions of Moldavian

legislation, Î.S. „Vestmoldtransgaz” (VMTG) Policies and Procedures, as well as good international

practice, EBRD’s Performance Requirement 101, and IFC’s Stakeholder Engagement Good Practice

Handbook (2014)2.

VMTG as promoter of the project “The Interconnection of the Romanian Natural Gas Transmission Pipline

with the Natural Gas Pipeline of the Republic Of Moldova, Phase II, Iasi – Ungheni – Chisinau Route”

understands the importance off all stakeholders and the public at large and is committed to provide timely

information to the public, using transparent communication methods and constantly considering the

feedback provided by all stakeholders.

The SEP will be updated during the implementation of the project based on the needs highlighted

throughout the provision of information to and engagement with stakeholders.

Stakeholder engagement refers to a process of sharing information and knowledge about the Project,

seeking to understand and respond to the concerns of other parties who may be affected by the Project.

1 EBRD Performance Requirement 10 – Information Disclosure and Stakeholder Engagement; 2 Stakeholder Engagement : A good practice handbook for companies doing business in emergent markets –IFC 2014;

Stakeholder consultation and disclosure are key elements of engagement and essential for the delivery of

successful projects.

The current structure of the SEP refers to matters related to: general aspects, description and project

objectives, SEP objectives and principles, applicable legal framework, identification and analysis of

stakeholders, past and planned stakeholder engagement activities, grievances system, etc.

2. THE PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE SEP

2.1 Purpose

Stakeholder engagement is a key element in building strong, constructive and responsive relationships in

order to assure a successful management of the project’s environmental and social risks and impacts. Its

aim is to inform stakeholders about the potential social and environmental impacts related to the project

through appropriate disclosure of information, to ensure their perceptions of the proposed development

are as accurate as possible, to consult with them to obtain feedback, and to provide a mechanism for

resolving any concerns or complaints they might have.

The overall aim of this SEP is to ensure that a timely, consistent, comprehensive, coordinated and

culturally appropriate approach is taken to consultation and Project disclosure.

The main purpose of the SEP is the presentation of the principles and method used for information

disclosure and the engagement with stakeholders throughout the pre- construction, construction of the

Project and during its operation phase. The current SEP is to be updated in subsequent stages of the

Project planning and construction and also later during Project implementation. The planned activities to

be conducted in this respect will be presented at least annually in line with the calendar for the

implementation of the project.

One of VMTG’s priorities is to cultivate a transparent and constructive dialogue oriented towards

providing information and identifying solutions to mutual problems identified together with the

stakeholders and especially with directly affected stakeholders, and to develop robust, continuous and

constructive relations with different stakeholder groups in VMTG’s capacity as promoter of the Project.

As we are informed of and understand better the nature of the different concerns, we will listen

respectfully to people’s concerns and the values promoted by their communities along the route of the

pipeline Project, and we will aim to implement measures to support vulnerable groups and directly

affected stakeholders where necessary.

2.2 Objectives of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan

The overall objective of the SEP is to support VMTG in its effort to implement the proposed project by

assuring that all stakeholders are informed adequately and in a timely manner, and engaged during

project implementation. The SEP aims to describe the specific measures for stakeholder information on

the potential environmental and social impacts related to the project through appropriate disclosure of

information, to ensure the perceptions of the proposed development are as accurate as possible, to

consult with stakeholders to obtain feedback, and to provide a mechanism for resolving any concerns or

complaints they might have.

The SEP focuses, but is not limited to, the following aspects:

• identification of affected stakeholders and other interested stakeholders;

• ensuring a transparent framework for a uniform, systematic and reliable approach in the

interaction with stakeholders;

• identification of the most efficient methods for the dissemination of information related to

the Project;

• presentation of past information disclosure and consultation activities as well as of those

planned for the future;

• highlighting the principles which will govern the implementation of the SEP;

• defining the roles and responsibilities in view of the implementation of the SEP;

• establishing efficient methods to ensure the rapid and safe handling of concerns and

grievances by stakeholders related to the Project;

• offering clear and consistent answers and developing meaningful and accessible information

(including brochures, flyers, etc. for dissemination) dedicated both to informing and to

familiarizing the public with the project;

The SEP is a “live” document that will be progressively developed through updated versions in line with

the phases of the project. The SEP will be made publicly available on VMTG’s website.

VMTG and the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) will respect individual stakeholders’ Right to Privacy

which is relevant to this SEP in regard to information relating to personal or private affairs and the

protection of communications, including grievances.

2.3 Principles of information disclosure and engagement of stakeholders

Throughout the project implementation process the following principles will be respected:

• Open and pro-active relation with the stakeholders;

• Openness toward dialogue and best efforts to clarify all aspects, uncertainties, worries the

communities might have in connection with the implementation of the project;

• Building awareness of the importance of the project due to its status of: project of common

interest and project of national importance in gas field.

• Showing respect towards the affected communities and their values;

• Ensuring the transparent communication of project impacts and risks, as well as how these

are being monitored and mitigated;

• Building and maintaining cooperation and dialogue with affected communities, project

contractors and workers, with NGOs, public organizations, and the regulatory authorities in

view of facilitating future successful relations;

• Updating the SEP on a regular basis (at least once per year) to ensure these principles can be

upheld throughout the different stages of implementation of the project.

3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The proposed project (the “Project”) foresees the development of a 110 km long gas pipeline on the

territory of the Republic of Moldova, which would cross Ungheni, Nisporeni, Călărași, Strășeni and

Chișinău districts. The width of the construction strip for the execution of the works is 20 m, and the

pipeline will be buried for the entire route. The interconnection pipeline will allow the country to fully

benefit from the Iași-Ungheni pipeline, and it will connect Chișinău Municipality, the largest gas consumer

area from the Republic of Moldova, to an alternative natural gas source. Besides the actual pipeline, the

Project foresees the construction of an administrative unit, the construction of 4 new Gas Pressure

Regulation Stations (GPRS), the upgrading of an existing bidirectional gas measurement station, and the

supporting infrastructure consisting of block valve stations, watercourses and infrastructure crossings,

and access roads.

The localization of the Project site is presented in Figure 1.

Figure 1 The route of the Project (blue line)

The main components of the Project are the following:

• DN600 Ungheni–Chișinau Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline

• Ghidighici Administrative unit

• Semeni Gas Pressure Regulation Station (GPRS)

• Ghidighici Gas Pressure Regulation Station

• Petricani Gas Pressure Regulation Station

• Tohatin Gas Pressure Regulation Station + Tohatin Gas Measurement Node

• Interconnector Pipeline GPRS Ghidighici – GPRS Petricani and interconnector pipeline GPRS

Petricani - Gas Distribution Network, Chișinău

• Natural Gas Pipelines SRM Tohatin – CET Chișinău and GPRS Tohatin – Gas Distribution Network

Chișinău

3.1 Location of the project

The DN600 Ungheni – Chișinău Natural Gas Pipeline starts in the Ungheni district, from the existing C

platform, located in the area of the Todirești territorial-administrative unit, to south-west, passing south

from Pîrlița, north from Alexeevca, south from Radenii Vechi, north-east from Milești (Nisporeni

district); it follows the course of the Bîc river through Vălcinet, Peticeni, Tuzara, it bypasses the city of

Chișinău from west to the north, and returns near the course of the Bîc river at the eastern part of the

city, heading to Nișcani and Pitușca in Călărași district, then Bucovăț, Vorniceni, Căpriana, Pănășești,

Ghelăuza, Negrești, Roșcani and Sireți in Strășeni district, passing through the territory of Ghidighici,

Grățiești, Stăuceni, Tohatin and the Municipality of Chișinău. The pipeline ends in the Tohatin territorial-

administrative unit, to the east from Cheltuitori.

All along its route, the pipeline crosses 4 watercourses included in the land registry, the Delia and Bîc

rivers in 3 locations, 4 railway tracks and 17 roads (road R1 – 3 locations, road L391 – 2 locations, and

roads L390, L418, L411, R20, L409.2, L409, L447, L 448, L443, M14 M21 and M2, all in one location).

Main components of the project on territorial-administrative units (TAU) District TAU Objective/Facility

Ungheni

Zagarancea GPRS Semeni Interconnection GPRS Semeni Pipeline DN600

Todirești Pipeline DN600 Pîrlița Pipeline DN600 Rădenii Vechi Pipeline DN600 Alexeevca Pipeline DN600

Nisporeni Milești Pipeline DN600

Călărași

Temeleuți Pipeline DN600 Vălcineț Pipeline DN600 Peticeni Pipeline DN600 Călărași Pipeline DN600 Pitușca Pipeline DN600 Sadova Pipeline DN600

Strășeni

Vorniceni Pipeline DN600 Căpriana Pipeline DN600 Pănășești Pipeline DN600 Strășeni Pipeline DN600 Ghelauza Pipeline DN600 Negrești Pipeline DN600 Radeni Pipeline DN600 Roșcani Pipeline DN600

Sireț Pipeline DN600

Chisinau

Ghidighici

Pipeline DN600 CA Ghidigihici GPRS + Interconnection Ghidighici Interconnection GPRS Ghidighici – GPRS Petricani

Grătiești Pipeline DN600 Stăuceni Pipeline DN600

Chișinău

Pipeline DN600 GPRS Petricani Interconnection GPRS Ghidighici – GPRS Petricani Distribution pipelines

Tohatin Pipeline DN600 GPRS + GMN Tohatin Distribution pipelines

3.2 Project construction

The objective of the investment, called „Execution works for the interconnection of the Romanian Natural

Gas Transmission System with the Natural Gas Transmission System of the Republic of Moldova - Phase

II – Iași-Ungheni-Chișinău route” is divided into 7 lots, as follows:

• LOT 1 - Natural gas transmission pipeline DN600, pressure 55 bar, length 26.070 km, located on the

territory of Ungheni and Nisporeni districts, Zagarancea, Todirești, Pîrlița, Rădenii Vechi, Alexeevca,

Milești administrative units.


territory of Călărași district, Temeleuți, Vălcineț, Peticeni, Călărași, Pitușca, Sadova administrative

units.


territory of Strășeni district, Vorniceni, Căpriana, Pănășești, Strășeni, Ghelăuza, Rădeni, Negrești,

Roșcani, Siret administrative units.


territory of Chișinău district, Ghidighici, Grățiești, Stăuceni, Chișinău, Tohatin administrative units. The

Ghidighici interconnection with diameter DN300, is 2.6 km long, being located in the Ghidighici TAU.

• LOT 5 refers to the execution of the gas pressure regulation stations, of the bidirectional

measurement node, of the pig receptor station and of the pipeline automation and security systems,

as follows:

i. GPRS SEMENI - works aiming at the execution of the gas pressure regulation

station (GPRS) Semeni, located on the administrative area of Zagarancea village,

in the proximity of the existing transmission pipeline PE SDR 11 Dn 180 Ungheni

– Petrești – Sculeni.

ii. GPRS GHIDIGHICI - works aiming at the execution of the gas pressure regulation

station (GPRS) Ghidighici, located on the administrative area of Ghidighici village,

near the city of Chișinău. GPRS will be installed in the same facility with the

Ghidighici Administrative Unit,

iii. GPRS PETRICANI - works aiming at the execution of the gas pressure regulation

station (GPRS) Petricani, located on the administrative area of Chișinău, near

Petricani street.

iv. GPRS+BMN+PRS TOHATIN - works aiming at the execution of the bidirectional

measurement node, pig receptor station and the gas pressure regulation station,

located near Chișinău municipality. The GPRS will be installed in the same facility

with the bidirectional measurement node and with the pig receptor station.

v. AUTOMATIZED AND SECURE PIPELINE - The automation and security systems of

the pipelines will be installed at:

1) A Platform Ungheni - by mounting 2 measurement lines and integrating them into the

existing gas measurement system;

2) Gas pressure measurement stations: Semeni, Petricani, Ghidighici;

3) GPRS Tohatin + BMN Tohatin;

4) Interconnection works and pig launcher station on Platform C Todirești;

5) 7 groups of main block valves and interconnection valves R1,R3,R5,R6,R8,R10,R11;

6) 4 groups of secondary valves R2,R4,R7,R9;

7) Execution of the Administrative Unit in Ghidighici.

• LOT 6 - Natural gas distribution pipeline GPRS Tohatin - CET Chișinău and GPRS Tohatin - distribution

Chișinău; Interconnection pipeline GPRS Ghidighici - GPRS Petricani and interconnection pipeline GPRS

Petricani - Distribution network Chișinău, consisting of:

o Interconnection pipeline (P = 0,6 ÷1,2 MPa) GPRS Ghidighici – GPRS Petricani and

interconnection pipeline GPRS Petricani – distribution network Chișinău;

o Natural gas distribution pipelines GPRS Tohatin – CET 2 Chișinău (P = 0,3 MPa) and GPRS

Tohatin – distribution network Chișinău (P = 0,3 MPa).

• LOT 7 refers to the building of the Administrative Unit in Ghidighici, located in the administrative area

of Ghidighici village, near the city of Chișinău.

3.3 The DN600 Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline

The 110 km long Ungheni-Chișinău natural gas transmission pipeline is located on the territory of Ungheni,

Nisporeni, Călărași and Strășeni district, and the municipality of Chișinău.

The DN600 natural gas transmission pipeline implies the following works:

• Developing the DN600 natural gas transmission pipeline, with a length of 110 km;

• Upgrading of the existing Gas Pressure Regulation Station on platform A, by building two DN300

measurement lines, equipped with separators, gas dryers and measurement systems with

correction, similar to the existing ones, connected to the existing automation and metering

systems, in order to allow the GPRS Ungheni to ensure a peak capacity of 250.000 Nm3/hour;

• Designing a platform (50 m x 30 m) on the existing GPRS Ungheni area (outside the actual

delimited area), destined to the depositing of the reserve and intervention materials, parking,

placement of heavy machinery, vehicles and special equipment.

• Building of a pig launching station on the C Platform in Todirești, and its connection to the Iași–

Ungheni interconnector pipeline, respectively pig receptor station placed within the bidirectional

gas measurement node in Tohatin;

• Mounting 11 groups of block valves;

• Developing the DN300 Ghidighici interconnection pipeline with a length of 2.6 Km.

• Mounting fiber optic cables on the route of the pipeline.

The technical features of the investment are the following:

Design pressure 55 bar;

Pipeline nominal diameter DN 600;

Pipeline material L415 NE – SR EN ISO 3183;

Length 110 km;

The natural gas transmission pipeline of high operation pressure on the Ungheni-Chişinău route, which is

the objective of the present project, will be buried, at a depth of 1.1 m.

Several above-ground infrastructural facilities will be built: 11 groups of block valves, one pig launching

station on the C platform in Todirești, two DN300 measurement lines on the existing A platform.

The proposed locations for the worksites needed for the execution of the pipelines are presented in the

table below:

No. Name Area (sq m) Localization

1 Worksite for LOT 1 10,000 Km 9+700 2 Worksite for LOT 2 10,000 Km 40+900 3 Worksite for LOT 3 10,000 Km 71+200 4 Worksite for LOT4 10,000 Km 101+300

3.4 Above-ground facilities

Cathodic protection stations

The cathodic protection of the entire pipeline will be ensured by 5 cathodic protection stations, installed

at the following locations: C Platform Todirești, R5 valve groups, R10 valve groups, regulation and

measurement node + GPRS Tohatin.

No. CPS Location localization 1 Ungheni district, Zagarancea administrative unit Km 0 2 Călărași district, Călărași administrative unit Km 41+893 3 Strășeni district, Negrești administrative unit Km 80+312 4 Chișinau district, Tohatin administrative unit Km 110

Valve stations

11 stations of block valves are installed on the route of the pipeline.

No. Location localization 1 Ungheni district, Todirești administrative unit Km 4+630 2 Ungheni district, Pîrlița administrative unit Km 5+374 3 Ungheni district, Milești administrative unit Km 21+926 4 Călărași district, Călărași administrative unit Km 41+571 5 Călărași district, Călărași administrative unit Km 41+893 6 Călărași district, Nișcani administrative unit Km 56+409 7 Călărași district, Nișcani administrative unit Km 56+843 8 Strășeni district, Căpriana administrative unit Km 66+989 9 Strășeni district, Căpriana administrative unit Km 67+313 10 Strășeni district, Negrești administrative unit Km 80+312 11 Chișinau district, Grătiești administrative unit Km 100+400

Pig launching/ receptor stations

The project includes one pig launching station located on the C Platform in Todirești, and one pig

receptor station located within the bidirectional gas measurement node in Tohatin.

No. Location Localization 1 Ungheni district, Zagarancea administrative unit Km 0 2 Chișinau district, Tohatin administrative unit Km 110

Gas pressure regulation stations

The project foresees 4 stations for gas pressure regulation (GPRS), namely GPRS Semeni, GPRS

Ghidighici, GPRS Petricani and GPRS Tohatin.

- GPRS SEMENI

It is located in the administrative area of Zăgărancea village, near the existing PE SDR 11 Dn 180 Ungheni

– Petrești – Sculeni transmission pipeline.

It was designed for a peak capacity of 10,000 Nm3/h and a maximal operation pressure of 10 bar.

The total area of the finalized station will be of 815.24 sq m, completed by a 4 sq m area destined to the

delimiting of the valve at the connection spot of the DN100 tie-in pipeline, 63 design pressure, to the DN

500 Ungheni – Chișinău natural gas transmission pipeline; and 4 sq m for the delimiting of the valve from

the designed DN 200 output pipeline of 16 bar design pressure.

In order to develop the designed DN 100, Pn 63 bar interconnection pipeline, provisionally a construction

strip of 10 m width will be occupied, and for the DN 200 Pn 16 bar output pipeline a construction strip of

11 m width will be temporarily used.

- GPRS PETRICANI

It is located in the administrative area of the Municipality of Chișinău, near Petricani road.

It was designed for a peak capacity of 60,000 Nm3/h and a maximal operation pressure of 4 bar.

Taking into account the area where the designed station will be located and the configuration of the area,

there is a need for a total area of 858.00 sq m (39.0 m x 22.0 m); this area requires levelling (digging, filling,

retaining walls, ditches etc.).

- GPRS TOHATIN + GAS MEASUREMENT NODE TOHATIN

It is located in the northern part of the city of Chișinău, to the south from Cheltuitor.

The bidirectional measurement node was designed for a peak capacity of 140,000 Nm3/h and a maximum

operation pressure of 35 bar.

The GPRS for this location was designed for a peak capacity of 100,000 Nm3/h and a maximum operation

pressure of 3.5 bar for CET Chișinău, and a peak capacity of 70,000 Nm3/h and a maximum operation

pressure of 3.5 bar for the distribution network of the city of Chișinău.

The GPRS will be installed in the same facility with the bidirectional measurement node and the pig

receptor station. Taking into account the area where the designed GPRS will be located and the

configuration of the area, there is a need for a total area of 4867.00 sq m (115.60 m x 42.10 m), this area

requires levelling (digging, filling, ditches etc.)

The actual delimited area of the GPRS is of 3850.00 sq m (110.0 m x 35.0 m).

- GPRS GHIDIGHICI

It is located within the administrative area of Ghidighici village, in the proximity of Chișinău Municipality,

in the same facility where the Ghidighici Administrative Unit is located.

It was designed for a peak capacity of 70,000 Nm3/h and a maximum operation pressure of 12 bar.

Levelling (digging, filling, retaining walls, ditches etc.) will be carried out on the area delimited for the

installations belonging to the GPRS, on a surface of 900.00 sq m (30.0 m x 30.0 m)

Ghidighici Administrative Unit

The facility is located to the north-west from the Municipality of Chișinău, open in the direction of the

Balcani Road, between Poltava and Leușeni. The area where this investment is to be executed is arable

land, where at present there aren’t any other buildings.

The ensemble (operation unit, administrative unit, maintenance unit) will be built in the same area with

the GPRS Ghidighici. The complex implies the construction of facilities, like: office building, dispatch

centre, laboratory, maintenance and repair workshops, deposits (open and closed structures), garage,

area for the strategic pipeline reserves and parking areas for vehicles, trucks and heavy machinery

(separate platforms for light and heavy equipment, parking for cars), and a surveillance building. These

investments represent the following objectives:

- Objective 1: Administrative building

- Objective 2: Mechanical workshops

- Objective 3: Deposit

- Objective 4: Laboratory

- Objective 5: Surveillance cabin at the gate

- Objective 6: External facilities

Proposed built area:

- Objective 1: Administrative building: 1260 sq m

- Objective 2: Mechanical workshops: 1060 sq m

- Objective 3: Deposit: 1060 sq m

- Objective 4: Laboratory: 182 sq m

- Objective 5: Surveillance cabin at the gate: 32 sq m

Total: 3594 sq m

The facility is equipped with all necessary utilities: electrical installations, heating and ventilation systems,

sewage and water system. All water, sewage and electricity utilities will be connected to the urban

network.

The table below summarizes the total areas that would be used by all components of the project.

USED AREAS, REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

(approximately)

NAME OF THE OBJECTIVE ROB GROUP ROAD TOTAL

R1 182 sq m 81 sq m 263 sq m

R2 182 sq m 179 sq m 361 sq m

R3 182 sq m 112 sq m 294 sq m

R4 182 sq m 0 sq m 182 sq m

R5 182 sq m 695 sq m 877 sq m

R6 182 sq m 77 sq m 259 sq m

R7 182 sq m 0 sq m 182 sq m

R8 182 sq m 202 sq m 384 sq m

R9 182 sq m 127 sq m 309 sq m

R10 182 sq m 87 sq m 269 sq m

R11 311 sq m 82 sq m 393 sq m

GPRS SEMENI 815 sq m 473 sq m 1288 sq m

GPRS PETRICANI 858 sq m 287 sq m 1145 sq m

GPRS TOHATIN 3850 sq m 800 sq m 4650 sq m

C PLATFORM 0 sq m 0 sq m 0 sq m

ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT 52800 sq m 0 sq m 52800 sq m

TOTAL 63656 sq m

The Investment Project is currently divided in 7 lots. For lots 1,2,3,4,5 and 7 the Works supply contracts

have been signed. All the Contracts are ongoing and pipeline construction works are in progress.

For lot 6 the public procurement process is close to be final and the Works supply contract will soon be

signed.

On some sections of the Project, top soil has been stripped from on the right of way and line pipe is being

laid on the ground.

Civil works on the Ghidighici complex are well advanced.

3.5 Direct, indirect and cumulated impact on the environmental factors and on the local

communities, protection measures from the perspective of the environmental

agreement

3.5.1 Environmental agreement for the Ungheni-Chisinau natural gas pipeline

The Environmental Agreement for the Ungheni-Chisinau natural gas pipeline Project was obtained in

February 2016. The environmental agreement was issued by the Ministry of the Environment of the

republic of Moldova (ME) and is based on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)

developed in 2016. The ESIA document, as well as the environmental agreement and information related

to the environmental permitting procedure were made available, to interested parties on the ME and

VMTG’s websites and also as hard copies at ME and regional authorities along the pipeline route (4

regional councils offices).

3.5.2 Forecasted impact and envisaged stakeholder engagement mitigation measures

The project related activities presented below are expected to have an impact on the local community

and stakeholders, and require stakeholder engagement activities as part of the mitigation measures.

Issue Mitigation Responsibility Timeline

Population and human health

The local community shall be informed about the construction route, construction schedule, the on site safety restrictions, traffic schedule and route for heavy equipment

VMTG Before construction starts

Soil and land use Land owners and land user shall be notified about the pipeline route, construction schedule and the restrictions imposed during the construction and operation period

MEPIU VMTG

Before construction starts

Noise and vibrations Local communities shall be informed about the construction schedule in order to minimize potential grievances related to noise and vibrations

VMTG Before and during construction

4. EUROPEAN, NATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE INFORMATION

AND PUBLIC CONSULTATION, EBRD REQUIREMENTS, CORPORATE

POLICIES AND INTERNAL DOCUMENTS OF THE COMPANY Information disclosure and public consultation for the Project is governed in principle by four type of

documents:

• Moldavian legislation regarding procedures for the evaluation of the environmental impact

and the ones related to the implementation of projects of national importance in the field of

natural gas;

• VMTG corporate policies on environmental and social policies;

• Lender’ s environmental and social policies and performance requirements, including EBRD’

s PR 10 on Information Disclosure and Stakeholder Engagement.

4.1 National legal framework

Law No. 105 of June 9, 2017 on declaring public utility for works of national interest the construction

of the gas pipeline in the direction Ungheni-Chisinau and the implementation of some measures for

the operation, exploitation and maintenance of the gas transport pipeline Iasi-Chisinau-Ungheni:

The law No. 105/09.06.2017 was specifically tailored for the Project and stipulates the legal framework

for the land acquisition and easement. It establishes the principles and steps for expropriation and

stakeholder engagement. The main points regarding stakeholder engagement are the following:

• Access to information regarding the expropriation procedure

o The PAPs shall be personally informed about the expropriation steps, about the area of

land that will be affected by the project, the amount of compensation and the

documents required in order to access the compensation

• Grievance mechanism

o The PAPs shall be informed about existence of a grievance procedure and the steps

necessary in order to access the grievance procedure

Law No. 86 of May 29, 2014 on Environmental Impact Assessment of the Republic of Moldova:

The Law No. 86 of May 29, 2014 on Environmental Impact Assessment of the Republic of Moldova is a

partial transposition of the Directive 2011/92/EU the European Parliament and Council from December

13, 2011 about the assessment of impact of some state and private projects on the environment.

The law establishes the principles of EIAs, defines the scope of the EIA, the powers of competent

authorities and the application procedure for planned activities. It defines, in addition, the procedures for

public consultation and participation in the EIA process, which are the focus of this section. The main

points are as follows:

• Access to and comments on documentation

o The public shall be given the opportunity to have access to the EIA related documents and

to comment on some of them

• Public debates

o The developer is obliged to review the public opinion by means of public consultations

(public debates and written comments). Public debates shall be conducted in the territory

of the local public authority where the planned activity is to be implemented

o Information of the public about the conduct of public debates: adverts in the mass-media,

official web-page of the developer and local governments of the project area, posts at

public places and the offices of the local governments;

o The findings of the public debates shall be entered in a minute (indication of the total

number of participants, list of questions, objections and proposals put forth).

4.2 EBRD requirements on information disclosure and stakeholder engagement

According to EBRD, stakeholder engagement is central to building strong, constructive and response

relationships which are essential for the successful management of a project’s environmental impacts and

issues. EBRD’s Performance Requirement 1 (PR 1) states that the ESIA process will include a public

disclosure and consultation process, and that the client will implement a Stakeholder Engagement Plan in

accordance with EBRD’s PRs.

EBRD’s Performance Requirement 10 (PR10) further states that the national laws (including the ones

transposing international regulations) regarding public information disclosure and consultation must

always be complied with. The application of EBRD PR10 therefore aims to supplement the national legal

framework.

PR10 contains guidelines similar to those in Regulation EU No. 347/2013, in the sense that the affected

stakeholders, especially local communities affected by the implementation of a project benefit from a set

of proactive measures by the project promoter, aimed at (a) diminishing or eliminating negative

environmental or social impacts related to the implementation of the project and (b) ensuring stakeholder

perception of the project is as accurate as possible.

According to PR10, the following should be retained as principles:

• Promoting transparent communication between the project promoter, its employees, the

local communities directly affected by the project, and other interested stakeholders;

• The involvement of the stakeholders is a process free of manipulation, interference, coercion

and intimidation;

• The involvement of the stakeholders will be differentiated according to their belonging to the

directly affected or indirectly affected stakeholders. For vulnerable groups specific actions will

be considered to eliminate possible barriers to their participation in the engagement process;

• The involvement of stakeholders is a process which must take place in the early stages of the

project, and continue throughout the entire life of the project;

• Ensuring access to a complaints receiving/solving mechanism, for stakeholders to submit their

questions, concerns or grievances about the Project.

5. PROJECT STAKEHOLDERS

5.1 Identification of stakeholders

Stakeholder identification is a key step in managing the stakeholder engagement process. Taking into

consideration the status of project of national interest, the procedure carried aut in order to obtain the

Construction Permit and the identification of land owners as well as the ESIA elaborated in 2016, the

following categories of Stakeholders have been identified:

• Civil society:

o General public: directly or indirectly affected population groups and subgroups (e.g.,

youth, girls, and women’s groups), and ethnic minority groups.

o People owning land or assets impacted by the project, both on and off-site.

o People using agricultural land or natural resources, such as forests or rivers. o Squatters already on-site. o People’s organizations and institutions affected by the project, such as village

development associations, recreational groups, women’s groups, farming and fishing cooperatives, and religious groups.

o Locally disadvantaged and voiceless groups, such as the poor and women. o People from surrounding villages who may be potential sources of labor. o Civil society organizations: national and international NGOs, community-based

organizations, foundations, labor unions, and independent research institutes. o Informal representatives: scientific community, schoolteachers, religious leaders.

• Government: o Central Government: civil servants in ministries, cabinets, etc. o Representative assemblies: elected government bodies; o Bilateral and multilateral government institutions: international financial institutions,

bilateral government donors, etc. • Private Sector:

o Private companies (including suppliers, customers, and contractors), umbrella groups representing groups in the private sector, and chambers of commerce.

o Media outlets.

5.2 Analysis of stakeholders and prioritization

The construction of the pipeline will cross the administrative area of the following districts, villages,

communes and towns:

• Chișinău district - Chișinău city, the communes of Tohatin, Stăuceni, Grătiești, Ghidighici;

• Strășeni district - the villages of Sireți, Roșcani, Negrești, Căpriana, Vorniceni, the communes of

Rădeni, Ghelăuza, Pănășești and Bucovăț city;

• Călărași district – Tuzara commune, the villages of Pitușca, Nișcani, Temeleuți, Peticeni,

Vălcineț, Sadova and Călărași city;

• Nisporeni district – Milești village;

• Ungheni district – the communes of Alexeevca, Pârlița, Todirești, Zagarancea and the village of

Rădenii Vechi.

The information obtained so far shows that no squatters exist in the area, but that there are people occupying land for which they have no official written title. After the Soviet Union has been dismantled, the people received the land they have been working on. However, due to reasons still not clear, some of these owners never received or applied for a formal land title. Table 5.1 lists the stakeholders identified by the ESIA and their interest in the project:

Table 5.1 Stakeholders identified during ESIA preparation

Stakeholders Stakeholder

Interest

Perception of the

problem/Issues to be

discussed

Resources Responsibilities Contact data

Civil society

Land owners and

land users subject

to

land and/or

financial

compensation

They will lose

private land

and potentially

productive

land, as well as

agricultural

assets

Timely and fair

financial

compensation for land

and crops

Land and

agricultural

assets

Not applicable Database with land owner is

available

Inhabitants of

Ungheni, Calarasi,

Straseni,

Nisporeni and

Chisinau

They can be

directly affected

by

environmental

and social issues

They can be

potential

sources

of labor

Environmental and

social impacts of the

project; Environmental

and Social

Management

Plan; Job opportunities

Work force

Public resources

(air, water, soil,

forests)

Not applicable Not applicable.

People

are involved through the

local governments.


Interest

Perception of the


discussed


Villagers from

surrounding areas

They can be

potential

sources

of labor

Job opportunities Work force Not applicable Not applicable. People are

involved through the

local governments.

BIOTICA,

Ecological

Association

To be aware and

comment on

the

environmental

impacts of

the project

Environmental impacts

of the project; public

consultation process;

Environmental and Social Management Plan

Internal budget

and staff

BIOTICA is active in

the field of

biodiversity

conservation. It

participates in

developing

management plans for protected areas, drafting regulations and plans.

Mun. Chisinau, str. N.

Dimo, 17/4 ap.22

fax: 0-22-495625;

tel: 0-22-498837; 0-22-

434726

http://www.bioticamoldova.

org

Ecological

Movement

of Moldova

(including its

territorial dept. in

Ungheny)

To be aware and

comment on

the

environmental

impacts of

the project

Environmental impacts

of the project; public

consultation process;

Environmental and

Social Management

Plan

Internal budget

and staff

EMM has the main

mandate/mission of

promoting

environmental

awareness in the

country by

promoting

environmental

education actions. It

Mun. Chisinau, str.

S.Lazo, 13

tel/fax: 0-22-232408; 0-

22-237423;

tel: 0-22-232654

http://www.mem.md


Interest

Perception of the


discussed


also participated in

the drafting of

environmental laws

and strategies.

AGROINFORM,

Agricultural

producers’

National

Federation of

Moldova

To provide

support to the

associated

farmers which

are

affected by the

project

Impacts related to

losses of productive

land and agriculture

assets

Internal budget

and staff

Agroinform is a

network of 15

regional

organizations that

support the

sustainable

economic

development of

rural communities

by providing

complex assistance

in business

development and

marketing, advanced

technologies

implementation, as

well as representing

the interests of its

members by

promoting policies

for

Mun. Chisinau, bd.

Stefan cel Mare si Sfint,

123-V

fax: 0-22-237830;

tel: 0-22-237730

Business association.

http://www.agroinform.m

d


Interest

Perception of the


discussed


sustainable rural environment development.

Government

Ministry of

Economy

Project’s

developer and

owner; Recipient

of the loan

EIA, Environmental

and Social

Management

Plan, PCDP

Ministry’s internal

budget and staff;

Project loan

The Ministry is

responsible for

analysis of social and

economic position,

structure and

condition of the

production potential

of industry,

agriculture, energy

complex, transport,

communication and

road infrastructure

and other branches

of

economy; on this

basis,

development of

concepts, strategies

and programs for

www.mec.gov.md

Direct contact person for

the project: Ms. Mariana

Botezatu, Director of the

General Department of

Energy Security and

Efficiency

mariana.botezatu@mec.

gov.md


Interest

Perception of the


discussed


restructuring of

economic sectors

and social and

economic

development of the

country.

MEPIU (Moldova

Energy Project

Implementation

Unit)

Representative

of the MoE for

the

implementation

of the project

EIA, Environmental

and Social

Management

Plan, PCDP

World Bank’s

loan

MEPIU is the key

organization in

supporting the

implementation of

Energy II Project

from the technical

point of view. Upon

necessity and

within the scope of

its competence,

the implementation

unit is involved

by the Ministry of

Economy and

other public

administration

www.mepiu.moldnet.md

[email protected]


Interest

Perception of the


discussed


institutions in

assessment of the

long term key

developments in the

energy sector and in

the international

cooperation in the

field.

Ministry of

Environment

Its permission or

agreement

is necessary in

order to

construct the

pipeline.

EIA, Environmental

and Social

Management

Plan, PCDP

Approvals: Application,

EIA Program/ToR, EIA

Documentation/Repor

t


budget and staff

The Ministry of

Environment shall

coordinate the

process of

environmental

impact assessment

of the planned

facilities and

businesses with

substantial effect

on the environment.

Www.mediu.gov.md


Interest

Perception of the


discussed


Ministry of

Agriculture

and Food Industry

Its permission or

agreement

is necessary in

order to locate

the pipeline on

“Ghidighici”,

on Didactic

Station

territories

(Gratiesti

administrative

unit)

of the State

Agrarian

University of

Moldova, and on

the National

College of

Viticulture and

Winemaking

EIA, Environmental

and Social

Management

Plan, PCDP


budget and staff

The Ministry of

Agriculture shall

promote a rational

use of the

natural resources

and

environmental

protection,

arrangement of

works for land and

forestry cadastre,

land monitoring,

implementation of

uniform policy for

land management

and control over

the land use.

www.maia.gov.md


Interest

Perception of the


discussed


territories in

Stauceni

administrative

unit.

The involvement

of this ministry

in the EIA

process

shall be a

decision of the

Ministry of

Environment

State Ecological Inspection

The Inspection shall assure the fulfillment of the EIA process with the EIA Law

The involvement

of this agency in

the EIA process

shall be a

decision of the

EIA, Environmental

and

Social Management

Plan, PCDP

Agency’s internal

budget and staff

The agency exercises

the state control and

supervision over

compliance with

valid legislation

and regulations in

environmental

protection and use

of the natural

http://inseco.gov.md/


Interest

Perception of the


discussed


Ministry of

Environment

resources by

economic operators

of any type .

Agency Moldsilva Its permission or

agreement

is necessary in

order to locate

the pipeline on

forest lands

owned by the

State and

managed by its

subdivisions.

The involvement

of this agency in

the EIA process

shall be a

decision of the

Ministry of

Environment

EIA, Environmental

and

Social Management

Plan, PCDP

Agency’s internal

budget and staff

The general task of

the Agency is

to implement the

constitutional

prerogatives and

international

ratified obligations

of the Republic

of Moldova on

development,

promotion and

implementation of

its

policy in forestry and

hunting.

www.moldsilva.gov.md

Agency Apele

Moldovei

Its permission or

agreement is

necessary in

EIA, Environmental

and

Agency’s internal Agency “Apele

Moldovei” is the

www.apelemoldovei.gov


Interest

Perception of the


discussed


order to locate

the pipeline on

aquatic lands,

river protection

strips and

protected areas

of the rivers.

The involvement

of this agency in

the EIA process

shall be a

decision of the

Ministry of

Environment

Social Management

Plan, PCDP

budget and staff administrative

authority

responsible

for implementing

state policy in the

field of water

resources

management,

hydrological, water

supply and

sanitation, which

operates under the

Ministry of

Environment.

.md

Councils of

Ungheni Region,

Calarasi Region,

Straseni Region,

Chisinau Region,

Tier 1 local

governments of

the area

Located in the

project area

EIA, Environmental

and Social

Management

Plan, PCDP

Disclosure of project’s

Information

Internal budget

and staff

The Tier-1 and Tier-2

governments

give orders in

accordance with the

law on

implementation of

public consultations

on the projects of

www.crungheni.md

www.calarasi.md

www.straseni.md

www.nisporeni.md

www.chisinau.md


Interest

Perception of the


discussed


Public consultation:

collection of

comments and

questions; forward

these to the MoEn or

the developer; support

in organization of

public debates

local importance,

which can have

economic,

environmental and

social consequences

(for life of the

people, for culture,

health and

social protection for

local communities

and public services),

as well as on other

issues which are of

interest for all

population of

the administrative-

territory unit or its

part.

Private sector Media Publication of

information

about the EIA

process

Disclosure of project’s

information

Communication

platforms (TV,

radio, internet

The national,

regional and local

media fulfill the

communication


Interest

Perception of the


discussed


and newspapers) needs of the project.

5.3 Past stakeholder and public engagement and participation

5.3.1 Engagement during the pre-feasibility study

During the preparation of the pre-feasibility study, consultations with relevant actors have been

undertaken by the consulting company working for preparing the project documentation. Members of

the private sector, government, scientific community and the financing institutions have been consulted

in this initial phase to discuss technical, design, legal, policy and environmental issues. The feedback from

these meetings has been incorporated into the studies undertaken up to now.

All the engagement activities conducted in the pre-construction period have been completed and are in

line with the legal requirements for the project.

A summary of these activities are detailed in Table 5.3.1:

Table 5.3.1 Summary of pre-feasibility consultations

Date and location Stakeholders involved Description

Private sector

16.07.2014 Office of Gazproiect, Moldova

Gazproiect - Gazproiect is an engineering company that has the required license and resources to design HP main gas pipelines

Discussion of the project’s background, design, routing, and feasibility study.

Government

17.07.2014 Offices of the Ministry of Economy of Moldova

Ministry of Economy (MoE) Handing over of the list of the members of the Working Group; handing over of documentation and technical standards; discussion of the project’s design.

18.07.2014 Temporary office of Vestmoldtransgas, Moldova

Vestmoldtransgas - state company established for the operation of the Iasi – Ungheni – Chisinau pipeline.

Discussion of the project’s routing and connection issues.

21.07.2014 MEPIU’s office in Moldova

MEPIU (Moldova Energy Projects Implementation Unit)

Discussion of the project’s design, routing and connection issues.

30.07.2014 ANRE’s office in Moldova

ANRE (National Agency for Energy Regulation of Moldova)

Discussion of regulatory and legal issues

30.07.2014 Energocom’s office in Moldova

S.A. Energocom - state owned company with the license for supply of electricity and gas with nonregulated tariffs.

Discussion of supply issues


Ministry of Economy (MoE) Disclosure of the work so far undertaken; discussion of technical, design, supply, demand, legal, budget and routing issues

23.09.2014 Offices of the Ministry of Finance, Moldova

Ministry of Finance Discussion of taxes, other financial duties of the project, public procurement, sovereign guarantee, and the loan

15.10.2014 MEPIU’s office in Moldova

MEPIU (Moldova Energy Projects Implementation Unit)

Discussion of the project’s connection, costs, and technical and issues; discussion of timelines


Ministry of Economy, Public Property Agency, PPP Unit

Discussion of legal and regulatory issues related to PPP


Ministry of Economy, Advisor on Energy Policy to the Prime Minister’s Office

Discussion of gas market and supply issues


Ministry of Economy Brief the MoE on the progress of the routing work

16.10.2014 Offices of the Ministry of Environment, Moldova

State Environmental Inspection, subordinated to Ministry of Environment

Brief the Ministry of Environment on the project status; discussion of routing issues, EIA procedures, and permitting.

International financing institutions

23.07.2014 Moldova

EBRD Discussion of the project’s capacity and background.

Scientific community

17.10.2014 Academy of Science, Institute of Power Engineering

Academy of Science, Institute of Power Engineering

Discussion of gas consumption forecasts in Moldova

Group meetings

03.12.2014 Chisinau

Government ministries and agencies; EIB and EBRD; EU Delegation; Embassy of Romania SIDA

Workshop for presentation and discussion of the pre-feasibility study: routing, basis of design, environmental issues, investment recovery options, and economic/commercial issues

04.12.2014 Chisinau

Ministry of Economy, EBRD, EIB

Workshop for discussion of the pre-feasibility study:

economic/financial issues, Moldova/Romania co-operation, legal and regulatory development, PIU (Project Implementation Unit), procurement rules, co-operation with the Ministry of Environment, construction rules

04.12.2014 Chisinau

ANRE (National Agency for Energy Regulation of Moldova); EBRD; EIB

Discussion of the pre-feasibility study: economic/financial issues, legal and regulatory development, tariffs, gas distribution.

5.3.2 Engagement during the ESIA phase

In the beginning of February, 2015 the organization and planning of the ESIA and the feasibility study have

started. Fichtner has been involved in group meetings undertaken for this purpose in Chisinau. After these

meetings, the agenda for undertaking the ESIA activities has been agreed and the project’s initiator (MoE)

and responsible authority (MoEn) undertook some disclosure activities according to the legal

requirements of the new EIA Law.

All the engagement activities conducted within the ESIA process have been completed and the

environment permit obtained.

A summary of the consultations is presented in Table 5.3.2:

Table 5.3.2 Consultations during the ESIA phase

Date and location Stakeholders involved Description

04.02.2015 05.02.2015 Chisinau

MoEn; MoE; EIB and EBRD; EU Delegation; Embassy of Romania; MEPIU; Working Group

Presentation of the MEPIU; discussion of the timeline for the EIA; clarifications about the new EIA Law; discussion about public debates; commercial considerations; technical issues; input data; coordination with the Romanian government; responsibilities and budget.

13.02.2015 MoE; MEPIU; Working Group; MoEn

The MoE, as the project’s initiator, filed the “Application regarding planned activities” to the responsible authority (the MoEn).

17.02.2015 MoEn; general public; The MoEn disclosed on its

affected people website that an Application for the Ungheni-Chisinau gas pipeline had been filed

25.02.2015 MoEn; MoE; general public; affected people

The MoEn disclosed on its website and to the MoE the result of the Preliminary Assessment of the planned activities.

04.03.2015 MoEn; MoE; general public; affected people; tier-2 governments

The MoEn disclosed on its website, to the MoE and the tier- 2 governments of the area the result of the new Preliminary Assessment of the planned activities (after discussion with the Romanian authorities)

20.03.2015 MoE; general public; affected people

The MoE published the draft EIA Program on the MEPIU’s and the MOE’s websites

20.03.2015 25.03.2015

MoE; tier-2 governments The MoE disclosed the draft EIA Program per letter and e-mail to the 5 potentially affected district councils

25.03.2015 MoE; MoEn The MoE disclosed the draft EIA Program to the MoEn for evaluation and comments

30.03.2015 MoE; tier-2 governments The MoE printed 5 hard copies of the draft EIA Program and distributed them among the 5 district councils.

27.03.2015 and 03.04.2015

MoEn; national and local newspapers; general public; affected people

Advertisements have been published in newspapers announcing that the draft EIA Program was available for public Comments

5.3.3 Engagement for land acquisition purposes (after the publication of Law no. 105/2017

In accordance to Law no. 105/2017, MEPIU has undertaken in 2018 a series of measures for the

engagement of relevant stakeholders and persons affected by the project. In this context, MEPIU has

conducted the following actions:

• The notification in writing of the land owners;

• The display of relevant project information at the headquarters of local authorities;

• Meetings with representatives of local authorities;

• Public consultations;

• Individual meetings;

• The notification through email of interested parties.

A summary of the activities is described in Table 5.3.3 below:

Action Date and location

Stakeholders involved Description

Written notification

25.06.2018 - 09.07.2018

Land owners All land owners that are affected by the project have been notified in writing. The notification contained information about the object of expropriation, the term for evacuating the land and general information about the expropriation procedure.

Display of relevant project information at the headquarters of local authorities

02.07.2018 - 04.07.2018

General public, affected persons Simultaneously with the transmission of the notifications, the information contained therein and the extracts from the cadastral plans, corresponding to each locality, with information on the pipeline axis and the lands located in the working strip for the construction of the gas pipeline were placed at the headquarters of the localities whose land will be affected by the works construction.

Meetings with representatives of local authorities

2018 Local authorities The process of information and consultation was initiated with the mayors of the localities affected by the pipeline construction in order to establish a cooperation relationship in the organization and carrying out of the expropriation procedure and in informing the affected persons about

Action Date and location

Stakeholders involved Description

the subsequent stages of this process and the implementation of the Project in general.

Public consultations

23.07.2018 - 08.08.2018

General public, affected persons, local authorities

During these meetings, the persons who attended were provided with details, in accessible language, on the legal provisions regarding the expropriation procedure for the construction of the pipeline.

Individual meetings

2018 Affected persons, land owners Individual meetings with affected individuals have been undertaken as an additional measure of information and consultation to anticipate some impacts of pipeline construction on people with specific cases, such as landowners with multiannual plantings, or at the request of affected people.

Expropriation proposal

2019 Affected persons, land owners All land owners that are affected by the project have been notified in writing about the amount of compensation proposed, based on the evaluation reports.

A breakdown for each Administrative Unit for the public consulations that took place between

23.07.2018 - 08.08.2018, can be observed below. A total of 112 persons attended the consultations, out

of which 76 men and 36 women.

Administrative Unit Number of participants

Breakdown by Gender

Male Female

Călărași 18 16 2

Ungheni 33 17 16

Strășeni 19 10 9

Chișinău 20 14 6

Stăuceni 22 19 3

5.3.4 Planned stakeholder engagement for 2019 - 2020

The below table presents the action plan for stakeholder engagement for 2019 - 2020. This was

designed based on the project implementation timeframe and the current needs for engagement. The

action plan will be updated based on needs or at least once per year.

No. ACTION

Targeted stakeholder Purpose/Description Estimated timing Responsible

General aspects

1 Disclosure of ESMF package

- Environmental and Social

Management Framework will

be publicly disclosed:

- electronically via EBRD and

VMTG website

- in hard copy: at VMTG office A hard copy of Remedial Action Plan for land acquisition will be also made available at Ungheni, Nisporeni, Straseni and Calarasi Regional Councils offices.

All stakeholders - To provide meaningul and timely information related to project development and management

October 2019 VMTG

2 Updating the project website with relevant information regarding project progress

All stakeholders - provide constant and timely information about the project - updates about the project: stage, result of public debates etc.

Minimum once per month

VMTG

3 Media coverage All stakeholders - press releases/ conferences - participation at media events - etc.

When key project milestones are achieved or when the need for it arises

VMTG

4 Grievance mechanism All stakeholders - submission of written grievances

All of the projects’ lifespan

VMTG

No. ACTION


- calls received for suggestions/complaints - online submission of complaints

Land acquisition

1 VMTG shall seek to conclude

an agreement with MEPIU /

IPOT on the RAP

implementation process

Ministry of Economy / MEPIU

and IPOT

- To develop and agree on a working framework in order to ensure that RAP is properly implemented

Q4 2019 VMTG

2 Implementation of

engagement actions

foreseen according to the

RAP

PAPs - To provide information about the entitlements related to acquisition of land rigths

Q4 2019 – Q1 2020 VMTG

Tendering process

1 Publication of tender documents

Potential contractors - To provide information to potential contractors about the conditions for the tendering process

Q4 2020 VMTG

2 Answering to clarifications Potential contractors - To provide clarifications regarding the tendering proccess to potential contractors

Q4 2020 VMTG

Construction activities

No. ACTION


1 Sending notifications regarding the commencement of the works

Local communities in the Project area Local and regional authorities

- To post

announcemets in local

communities reagrding

the construction start,

the construction

schedule and specific

construction activities


VMTG

2 Displaying the notification regarding the commencement of the execution of the works

Local communities in the Project area Local and regional authorities

- Information in case PAPs are unknown or have not been reached


VMTG

3 Ad-hoc consultations Local communities in the Project area Local and regional authorities

- the CLOs will organize consultations along the Right of Way of the project in order to address specific issues that might result from the construction work

During the construction phase

VMTG

6. GRIEVANCE MECHANISM

6.1 What could be considered a grievance

It is important to keep in mind that submitting a grievance is the first condition and also a necessary tool

for VMTG, to know any concerns and to meet them. In this regard, VMTG undertakes full responsibility

and impartiality in managing all grievances received, the responses submitted and in conducting an open

and trustworthy dialogue with all stakeholders.

6.2 What is the Grievance Mechanism?

The grievance mechanism is a very useful and practical mechanism dedicated to receiving, recording,

investigating requests, complaints, and questions about the project and submitting answers to them.

The Grievance Mechanism is designed to enable Affected stakeholders or any other Interested

Stakeholder to submit their grievances about the Project to VMTG and MEPIU. The Grievance Mechanism,

as with the overall SEP, will be in place over the whole life of the Project, namely during planning,

construction and operation stages.

A grievance may take the form of specific complaint about impacts, damages or harm caused by the

Project. Similarly, a grievance may refer to concerns about access to the stakeholder engagement process

or about how comments have been addressed. Grievances can also be related to project activities during

construction or operation, or perceived incidents or impacts.

6.3 How to submit a grievance?

Due to the fact that the entity responsible for stakeholder engagement differs for different phases of the

project, MEPIU for the pre-feasibility and the land acquisition phase, and VMTG for the construction and

operation phase, we need to differentiate between two grievance procedures:

• Grievances regarding land acquisition and easement;

• Grievances regarding construction and operation.

However, because this differentiation might prove confusing for the general public, the PMU should be

able to receive all types of grievances related to the project and transfer them to the responsible entity.

The PMU should also monitor the status of the grievance and record the process of the grievance

resolution.

6.3.1 Submitting grievances regarding land acquisition and easement

MEPIU is responsible for the stakeholder information and the implementation of the the grievance

mechanism for land acquisition and easement, in accordance to Law no. 105/2017. In the expropriation

letter (see Annex C) PAPs were notified of the possibility to submit grievances regarding land acquisition

and easement. All grievances must be submited within 45 days of receiving the letter and must contain a

justification and documents to support their claim. The papers will be sent to the Commission established

by MEPIU at the address: Chișinău, Alecu Russo street, nr.1, bloc A1.

A grievance can be a complaint, concern, question, suggestion or other comment about the Project and how it is implemented.

MEPIU has already developed a grievence register that will be shared with VMTG subject to the agreement

that willbe developed betweent the two parties.

6.3.2 Submitting grievances regarding construction and operation

VMTG is responsible for the stakeholder information and the implementation of the the grievance

mechanism for the construction and operation phases of the Project.

A Public Grievance Form (see Annex A) is available for submitting grievances. Such Grievance Forms will

be available as hard copies in the AUs crossed by the project as well as the electronic versions on the

VMTG’s website (www.vmtg.md). However, other written letters, emails, text messages and phone calls

can also be used for submitting grievances, as described below.

Stakeholders will be able to submit a grievance in relation to the Project, at any time and free of charge,

by using one or several of the following ways:

• Contacting VMTG’s Community Liaison Manager at +373 22 66 72 91 or by email at

[email protected]

• Contacting VMTG’s Local Community Liaison Officers (local CLOs). Their contact details will be

provided in a later stage, together with the following revision of this SEP.

• submitting a written grievance to the Mayoralty, whith the aim to be forwarded to VMTG /local

CLOs ;

• submitting a verbal grievance in person to the Mayoralty or to the Local CLOs if a stakeholder is

not able to or comfortable submitting a grievance in writing;

• sending a grievance via fax or regular mail or email at the contact details below:

- Mail: Address: Blvd. Ștefan cel Mare nr. 180 et.5 bir. 516;

- E-mail: [email protected]

- Fax: +373 222 910 40

• By filling in a Contact form available on VMTG’s website at :

https://www.vmtg.md/index.php/contact ;

Grievancees will have the option of submitting anonymous grievances using any of the means described

above, however, in order to allow follow up and feedback it is recommended to provide contact details.

In justified cases, VMTG will also consider anonymous grievances.

Besides the means described above on ways to lodge grievances, stakeholders will have the possibility to

express concerns or make complaints verbally during the public meetings organized for the Project. These

public meetings will be scheduled and announced within a reasonable timeframe.

For an efficient treatment of the grievances they should include a set of minimum information related to:

• The reason/description for/of the situation/complaint;

• The contact information of the person submitting the grievance;

• The date of submission.

6.4 Grievance processing

As with the grievance submission process, the grievance processing will also be divided into two

different phases:

• Grievance processing regarding land acquisition and easement;

• Grievance processing regarding construction and operation.

6.4.1 Grievance processing regarding land acquisition and easement

As per the privatization contarct of VMTG, the responsbilities for land acquisition and easment for this

project are with Ministry of Economy (via MEPIU). As indicated already, the all the past engagement

activities related to this topic have been done by them.

PAPs have the possiblity to submit a grievance related to land acquisition process to MEPIU. The

grievance system designed by them is in line with Moldovan legislation and EBRD requirements. A

grievance commission consisting of 3 experts designated by MEPIU and 3 locals was established as

stated in Law no. 105/2017. The grievance procedure consists of the following steps:

1. Identification of grievance: The grievance is recorded and classified after the PAP submits it

to the Commission.

2. The commission reviews the grievance and issues a decision to establish the compensation

amount.

3. The decision is communicated to the PAP within 5 days since issuance.

4. If the PAP is not satisfied with the proposition, he can then address a court of law with 2 years

since the issuance of the new proposition.

6.4.2 Grievance processing regarding construction and operation

The grievance will be analysed by the responsible VMTG personnel and any required corrective actions

will be identified.

Figure 7.4 presents the general steps that will be taken when a complaint is received by VMTG:

Figure 7.4 Overview of the grievance mechanism

If not satisfied consider

addressing the court of

justice

Grievance received

Grievance recorded

and classified by the

PMU

Implement corrective

actions

Inform the

appellant about

the outcome of his

complaint

Is the grievance

anonymous?

Is the appellant

satisfied with the

response?

Register how the

grievance was

addressed.

YES

YES

NO

Obtain more information

from the appellant to

establish validity of

disagreement and whether

or not further corrective

action is needed.

Implement corrective

actions

Inform the appellant

about the outcome of

his complaint

YES

NO

Register how the

grievance was

addressed.

Is the appellant

satisfied with the

response?

NO

The Grievance Procedure comprises the following steps:

1. Identification of grievance: The grievance is recorded and classified in the ‘Grievance Log (see

Annex B)’, in a written and electronic manner by the CLM and its CLOs team. The Grievance Log will be

held by Project Management Unit;

2. Grievance is formally acknowledged through community meetings or letter as appropriate since

registration. In case the appeal cannot be understood, VMTG will request additional data for clarifications;

3. The grievance is analysed and a response will be developed by the relevant departments and

forwarded to the CLM.

4. Required actions are implemented to deal with the issue, and completion of these is recorded

on the Grievance Register ;

5. The response is to be approved and signed by the CL Manager and by the Project managers, by

the case;

6. The grievance response is communicated to the appellant ;

7. In the situation in which the appellant is not satisfied with the proposed response, further

investigation can be requested. In this case, VMTG will require further information from the appellant in

order to establish the validity of the claim and propose an updated response. In the case in which the

second response is still not satisfactory for the repellent, addressing court of justice is the next step.

8. The grievance is closed with a note about the solution in the Grievance Register. (The grievance

will be considered solved and the complainant satisfied with the taken measures as long as after informing

the complainant about the taken measures, he will not send a new grievance regarding the previous

matter.)

The grievances received by contractors will be recorded by contractors in their own Grievance Logs and

will be reported monthly to the PMU Communication and Stakeholders Management Department.

During construction, VMTG will perform periodical E&S audits to its contractors and will carefully check

the efeciveness of their grievance mechanisms, and where possible, will take take measures to remediate

any impediments.

6.5 Grievance records

The grievance record will assure the recording of grievances, with an entry number for each grievance,

for effective tracking thereof. The grievance records will be done by following the Grievance Log template

provided in the Annex B.

7. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN SEP IMPLEMENTATION VMTG is the primary entity responsible for the implementation of the SEP.

A dedicated role has been included in the organizational chart of Project Management Unit in order to

deal with social aspects and engage with stakeholders: Stakeholder Management and Project

Communication. Apart from the CSM expert, at least 2 Community Liaison Officers will be included in

the project team in order to offer a direct link with the local community.

Within the Project PMU, the Communication and Stakeholder Management expert has the following

responsibilities:

• Update the registry of the stakeholders in the project

• Update the Stakeholders matrix according to their interest and their influence on the Project.

• Determines the information necessary for each stakeholder;

• Updates the Stakeholders Engagement Plan

• Prepares, develops, implements and updates the Communication Management Plan related to

the project;

• Prepares, and monitors the updates for the information related to the project on the company’s

web page;

• Provides the necessary support for drawing up the notification/reporting forms;

• Coordinator of engagement actions

• Coordination of community liaison officers,

• Monitoring/evaluation

• Any other responsibilities as agreed from time to time in their job description.

Due to the fact that MEPIU was the main driver of the stakeholder engagement process for the land

easement and acquisition phase of the project, certain engagement activities may require cooperation

with them in order to implement these activities. The Remedial Action Plan for land acquisition (RAP)

includes details about what engagement activities are still to be done in the context of land acquisition.

As already indicated, the privatization contract of VMTG describes clearly what are the responsibilities of

VMTG and Ministry of Economy (via MEPIU). The below figure offers an overview on these

responsibilities.

Based on this framework, all VMTG will continue to cooperate with MEPIU in order to implement all the

engagement actions foreseen for the finalizing the land acquisition and compensation process.

Calculating the

compensation amounts

Acquiring land for AGIS - own

budget

Evaluation of properties

and damages

Payment of compensations for

land easment - VMTG budget

Identification of

land owners Transfer the land to VMTG

Government of Moldova via

Ministry of Economy

MEPIU

Vestmoldtransgaz

VMTG

Detailed design of the

project

Transfering money to MEPIU for payment for land easment based on

a memorandum that is expected to be singed in December 2018

Calculating the land needs

Privatization contract

8. MONITORING, REPORTING AND EVALUATION OF EFFECTIVENESS THE

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SEP

8.1 Monitoring

During the monitoring of the SEP implementation the following performance indicators will be

considered: the number of received complaints and the percentage of closed complaints during the set

timeframe, number of consultations held during the SEP implementation period, number of persons

consulted, number and type of information materials prepared and distributed, media coverage

indicators.

8.2 Reporting

The current SEP is a living document which has to be periodically updated as the Project progresses.

The consultation schedule detailed in Chapter 5.3.4 – Planned Stakeholder Engagement for 2019-2020 is

mainly focused on the actions planned to be implemented during 2019 and 2020, which represents the

construction stage of the project.

Therefore, this SEP has to be updated as needed to reflect any Project or stakeholders changes, at least

once per year, preferably in last quarter of the year. This will allow proper adjustments of the next year’s

consultation program, correlated with the planned Project activities. In the process of updating the SEP

the past stakeholder engagement activities will be described.

8.3 Evaluation of effectiveness

The effectiveness of engagement activities will be evaluated against the goals and objectives set out in

the SEP. This evaluation will examine the extent to which activities were implemented in accordance with

the Plan and the extent to which they achieved the aims defined here (including the effectiveness of the

SEP in obtaining comments and feedback from the stakeholders).

The results and any lessons learned will then be incorporated into further updates of the SEP as the Project

evolves and is implemented.

Annex A Grievance Form

PUBLIC GRIEVANCE FORM

Reference No (for VMTG .internal purpose):

Full Name:

First name _____________________________________ Last name _____________________________________ ❏ I wish to raise my grievance anonymously ❏ I request not to disclose my identity without my consent

Contact Information Please mark how you wish to be contacted (mail, telephone, e-mail).

❏ By Post: Please provide mailing address:

_________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________ ❏ By Telephone: _______________________________________________ ❏ By E-mail _______________________________________________

Preferred Language for communication

❏ Romanian ❏ English ❏ Other, please specify Description of Grievance:

If Grievance is related to a specific event/Incident;

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Date of Incident ❏ One time incident/grievance (date _______________) ❏ Happened more than once (how many times? _____) ❏ On-going (currently experiencing problem)

Signature: _______________________________ Date: _______________________________

Please return this form to: Mr. XXXXX (CLManager) , VMTG Phone no.: xxxxxxxx E-mail: xxxxxx&xxxxx

Annex B GRIEVANCE LOG

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

No. Incoming letter

registration No. and date

of receipt

Type and form of

grievance

Full name of

individual. Name of

the company for legal

entity

Appeal essence

Solution of the

grievance

Measures taken

No. of outgoing letter and

date of mailing

Person in charge

Grievance open or closed?

stakeholder engagement plan the interconnection …

Documents