S4 Déviation Zarzis

In November 2021, the EIB-CM received a complaint from individuals concerned with the above mentioned road project potential environmental and social impacts. Complainants are particularly concerned by the road itinerary and its potential impacts on their land, houses and living quality as well as their rights for compensations and the fact that their grievances would remain unaddressed.

On 29 March 2021, the EIB-CM issued an Initial Assessment Report to the complainant presenting the allegations as follows: 

·            lack of identification of significant environmental and social impacts and of assessment of alternatives;

·            lack of information, consultation and grievance mechanism; and

·            insufficient compensations as part of the land acquisition process.

The promotor has informed the EIB-CM about its limitations and willingness to engage with project affected people to identify solutions and address their respective concerns. Based on the nature of the allegations and consultations with stakeholders, the EIB-CM has decided to start a compliance review. 

The EIB-CM performed its compliance review and found that while some allegations are not grounded, there are gaps in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), the EIA public consultations and the land compensations against the EIB E&S standards. The report reflects the positive role of the Bank in mitigating partially some of the gaps and notes that the services commit to monitor further the promoter on additional efforts to comply with the EIB E&S standards.

The EIB-CM will follow-up on the Bank monitoring of these actions, in particular:

·            that PAPs are provided with information with regard to their allegations, the additional mitigations measures foreseen, and their rights to claim a revision of their compensation under the new legal framework; and

·            that an external evaluation of the resettlement process and restoration of livelihoods is performed.