Board Approves Panel Recommendation to Defer Decision to Investigate Armenia Complaints
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on July 20, 2016, approved the Inspection Panel’s recommendation to defer a decision on whether the Panel should investigate two Requests for Inspection of the Armenia Irrigation System Enhancement Project. The project is designed to convert four pump-based irrigation systems into gravity irrigation with the aim of eliminating electricity use and thereby reducing costs. Requests received on March 18 and May 3 from the Goght community and residents of Garni village, respectively, allege potential negative impacts on the supply of irrigation water, inadequate consultation and participation processes, and impacts on cultural property. Shortly after the Panel’s eligibility visit in June, Bank management informed the Panel that the government of Armenia was proposing modifications to the project that require the Bank’s reappraisal of it. As a result, the Panel recommended deferring a decision on whether to investigate the complaints. The Panel said it would reassess the situation when further developments take place and will inform the Board of its recommendation on whether to investigate within a year. Download and read the “Report and Recommendation”.
Read more about the casehere.