ECOWAS – Strengthening capacity-building for grievance redress mechanisms in the implementation of the ‘ROGEAP’ project.

ABUJA, 20 September 2023 – ECOWAS, through the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP), is a pioneering initiative aimed at increasing access to electricity for households, businesses and public institutions in 19 countries across West Africa. This ambitious project, funded by the World Bank, the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) and the Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS) of the Government of the Netherlands, seeks to revolutionise the energy landscape in the region by promoting the use of modern stand-alone solar technology. ROGEAP is structured around two core components: developing a regional market and providing access to finance for businesses specialising in stand-alone solar systems.

In line with its commitment to environmental and social risk management, the ROGEAP has set up a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) Desk. The GRM Desk’s primary aim is to ensure an accessible, inclusive, transparent, efficient and harmonised GRM for people affected by the project and other stakeholders. To further strengthen this mechanism and enhance in-house capabilities, the ROGEAP Project Implementation Unit (PIU) organised a capacity-building workshop on

The Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP) Project Implementation Unit (PIU) organised a one-day capacity-building workshop in Abuja, Nigeria, with the primary aim of strengthening the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) and the in-house capacities of the PIU, the Directorate of Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, and, by extension, the Environment and Climate Unit of the ECOWAS Commission.

The workshop was attended by representatives from the ROGEAP PIU, the Directorate of Energy and Mines, the Directorate of Transport, and the Division of Environment and Climate. In addition, three (3) participants joined the workshop virtually.

Participants also took part in discussions on the draft GRM policy, operational manual and online grievance reporting form. They offered valuable suggestions on how to improve these documents to ensure that the ROGEAP GRM is accessible, inclusive, transparent, efficient and harmonised.

The ROGEAP PIU is committed to implementing these recommendations to further strengthen the GRM and ensure that it is an effective tool for resolving grievances and concerns raised by project-affected people and other interested stakeholders. As ROGEAP moves forward, its enhanced capacity and refined GRM will play a pivotal role in addressing grievances and concerns, thereby contributing to the project’s positive impact on the lives of its beneficiaries and the sustainable development of the region.                  

Mr Oumar Mbacke, the Procurement Specialist, outlined the workshop agenda, which laid the groundwork for the comprehensive establishment of the GRM within the ROGEAP project. He presented the workshop agenda, which was reviewed and adopted. The agenda comprised three main components:

1. Presentations and discussions on the GRM policy framework, complaints management, reporting, and the establishment of an effective GRM structure within the 19 beneficiary Member States of the project.
2. Presentation and Discussion of the Role of GRM Focal Points, the SEAH/GBV Survivor-Centred Approach, and a Review of GRM Case Studies.

The workshop began with an opening address by Mr Bah F. M. Saho, Head of the Energy Access and Alternative Energy Division, on behalf of the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, who extended a warm welcome to all participants. He expressed his gratitude to the project’s funders and stakeholders for their invaluable contributions. He highlighted the critical role of the GRM within the context of the ROGEAP programme. He emphasised the need for all grievances and concerns to be resolved amicably, positioning the GRM as a cornerstone of the project’s success. Participants were encouraged to engage actively and offer suggestions to improve the project’s GRM.

The subsequent presentations on GRM were delivered by the ROGEAP Consultant – Grievance Redress Officer, Ms Perpetua Ngozi Okafor. These presentations covered a wide range of topics, from an introduction to ROGEAP and the identification of environmental and social operational risks to detailed insights into the GRM structure, policy framework, communication and outreach strategies, value chains, processes and workflow.

Ms Okafor also explored the critical issues of gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual exploitation and abuse/sexual harassment (SEA-SH), providing case studies and recommendations for managing these complex issues through the GRM.

Following the presentations, participants took an active part in the discussions and offered valuable insights and recommendations.

In his closing remarks, the workshop Chairperson, Mr Sylla Elhadji, the ROGEAP Project Coordinator and Senior Adviser, expressed his gratitude to the participants for their contributions and active involvement throughout the workshop. He officially closed the meeting, marking the end of a productive and insightful capacity-building workshop for the Grievance Redress Mechanism within the ROGEAP project. The commitment and engagement of all stakeholders exemplify the dedication to ensuring the success of this vital initiative in the West African region.

ABUJA, NIGERIA, September 2023. ROGEAP Communications

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