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Panel Publishes Non-Technical Summary of Its Investigation Report on Santa Cruz Corridor Connector Project in Bolivia

The Inspection Panel has published a Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of its investigation into the World Bank-financed Santa Cruz Corridor Connector Project. The NTS succinctly explains the Inspection Panel’s key findings in the investigation, contents of the Management Action Plan, and learnings that can be applied to future World Bank-financed road upgrade projects.

In December 2022, the Panel received a Request for Inspection concerning the Project from four individuals who stated they are leaders of four Centrales Chiquitanas, organizations of Chiquitiano Indigenous People living in the Project area.

The Project aims to improve transport accessibility by upgrading, from gravel to asphalt concrete, a 208-km stretch of road connecting the Bolivian municipal capitals of San Ignacio de Velasco and San José de Chiquitos in the Department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

The Inspection Panel recommended – and the Board approved – an investigation in March 2023. It considered:

  • the Project’s identification and assessment of the potential, induced impact in the
    context of the Chiquitanos and their vulnerabilities,
  • the process of free, prior, and informed consultation for the development of Project, Project safeguard documents, including the Indigenous Peoples Plan,
  • the Project’s impact on resettlement and compensation related to the right-of-way, borrow pits, and atajados (artificial ponds that provide drinking water for humans and animals),
  • road safety, occupational health and safety, and labor working conditions, 
  • Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, and Sexual Harassment, and 
  • Bank Management’s supervision of the Project.

Release of the NTS is part of a continuing effort to make the findings of Inspection Panel cases more accessible to a wider group of interested public, and to share knowledge and lessons from completed investigations. Later this year, the Inspection Panel will also release a video describing the investigation report of the Santa Cruz Corridor Connector Project, presented in a lively panel discussion format.