AEF Vision +

completed

Environmental Review Summary (ERS)Project Name AEF - BENIN: CCIFFRegion Sub Saharan AfricaSector General ManufacturingProject No. 0094131. This project involves the extension of an existing lens manufacturing and processing plant to respond to market demand. CCIFF was created in 1989 by the sponsor, a Beninese entrepreneur, to trade in optical products and since 1995, to process polished lenses to meet medical specifications at the request of its clients’ optical shops. Investment is also planned in new types of machinery which will allow treatment of lenses for scratches and reflection problems. The new types of lens treatment which will be introduced will be unique both in Benin as well as regionally. CCIFF currently supplies optical lenses to Benin in the main, and plans to increase its sales to the sub-region with its new anti scratch and anti reflection lenses to replace of imported products. 2. This is a category B project according to IFC’s environmental review procedure because specific impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines or design criteria. The review of this project consisted of the appraisal of technical and environmental information submitted by the project sponsor and completed by IFC’s Environment Department staff. The key environmental, health and safety issues considered in this project include:· Site location;· Power and water supply;· Waste management;· Storage and handling of chemical products;· General plant safety;· Fire prevention;· Employee exposure to noise, dust and chemical substances;· Emergency response plan.The sponsor has presented plans to address these issues and demonstrate that the proposed project will comply with applicable governmental and World Bank requirements. The information provided about how these potential impacts are addressed in the development of the project is summarized in the paragraphs that follow.3. The plant is located in a two story building in the Cotonou suburb of Sodjatime, (close to an industrial zone). The project has been deemed as consistent and in compliance with local zoning laws, land use practices and local sanitation and environmental requirements.4. At the plant, the water and electricity supply will be provided by the city utility, SBEE.5. Water recycling through the use of a closed circuit will lead to a very small production of liquid effluents. Liquid effluents and sewage (20m3 per month) are collected into the building’s septic tank, which is emptied twice a year, by the municipality.6. The volume of sludge produced from the lens surfacing activities is about 18kg per month. This material is disposed of in specific bins and also collected by the municipality every 10 days when it is taken to the same landfill as the sewage sludge.7. All air conditioning equipment will be new and CFC free.8. Chemical products consisting of cleaning foams, will be stored in small quantities in closed receptacles within the laboratory.9. The lens surfacing is carried out within a closed system, thus employees are not exposed to dust. Employees are provided with gloves and masks as part of the safety and security policy.10. The sponsor has agreed to implement IFC fire protection and life safety requirements within the laboratories. Extinguishers will be placed on the first and second floor which are to be used only for administrative purposes only. The fire fighting equipment will be regularly inspected by the local fire department.11. The sponsor has developed an emergency response and evacuation plan and training will be implemented when appropriate. The sponsor will comply with all World Bank guidelines for Health and Safety.12. Based on its review of available information regarding potential environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures, IFC concludes that the proposed project is being designed to meet Government of Benin requirements, and World Bank policies, and environmental, health and safety guidelines.13. IFC will monitor CCIFF'' s ongoing compliance with World Bank policies and guidelines during the life of the project by evaluating monitoring reports submitted annually to IFC by the sponsor and by conducting periodic site reviews during project supervision.