Public Notice: Disclosure of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Biodiversity Management Field Survey (BFS) for RETRAP 40-km Road Rehabilitation Projects

The Government of Liberia plans to rehabilitate the 40 km Tappita–Toe Town Road to bitumen standard under the Rural Economic and Transformation Project (RETRAP). RETRAP is financed by the World Bank (IDA) and is vital to the country’s economy, as it will improve road connectivity for communities along the corridor, enhance productivity, and increase market access for smallholder farmers involved in selected value chains.

This notice serves to inform the general public that the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Public Works’ Infrastructure Implementation Unit (IIU), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Project Implementation Unit (PIU), has prepared the following key environmental and social documents for the road project:

  1. Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the rehabilitation of the 40 km Tappita–Toe Town Road, which identifies and addresses impacts on project-affected communities and auxiliaries along the corridor.

  2. Biodiversity Field Survey (BFS) for the 40 km Tappita–Toe Town Road rehabilitation under RETRAP, conducted to identify and map critical habitats and wildlife movement corridors intersecting the road alignment. This survey supports the development of mitigation and conservation strategies in compliance with ESS6.

The ESIA ensures that potential environmental and social impacts associated with road rehabilitation and paving activities are identified, assessed for significance, and addressed through appropriate mitigation measures. These measures aim to eliminate or minimize adverse impacts within a reasonable timeframe, considering the required investment.

The Biodiversity Field Survey establishes the mitigation measures and procedures for managing the risks to the biodiversity during the construction and operation phases. It provides detailed information on potential biodiversity impacts, proposed mitigation measures and strategies, and the monitoring and implementation arrangements necessary to ensure effective biodiversity conservation throughout the project lifecycle.

The ESIA and BFS were developed in full compliance with the National and World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) requirements, ensuring adherence to internationally recognized standards for environmental and social risk management. These instruments incorporate thorough assessments of potential impacts, stakeholder consultations, and the integration of appropriate mitigation and monitoring measures to safeguard environmental and community well-being throughout the project lifecycle. They provide a comprehensive basis for the sustainable rehabilitation of the Tappita–Toe Town Road by addressing key concerns such as ecosystem protection, social inclusion, and risk minimization in alignment with the ESF’s core principles.

These environmental and social instruments are now being disclosed to the public to promote transparency and accountability. They are accessible at: