We are the independent accountability office of the IDB Group. We receive complaints from communities in the region alleging that they have been harmed by projects financed by one of the Group’s institutions as a result of noncompliance with one or more of its operational policies.
Integrated Urban Solid Waste Management Program - Request IV
Country: Argentina
Reception date: January, 31 2022
Current Status: Open
Requesters:
Ignacio Francisco Uranga, Carlos Reyes Terrabusi and Viviana Karina Novelle, in addition to 57 neighbors and residents of Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The Request describes potential harm to the quality of life, health, and property of the group of Requesters; coupled with environmental effects and cultural heritage for the community, due to the sanitation of an old landfill (currently in operation) and the opening of a new site in the area, which are part of the Program.
The Request also mentions potential non-compliance with the Bank's Relevant Operational Policies due to the lack of public information on the project and adequate public consultations to give consent by the affected population. Additionally, there is a lack of complete environmental and social studies and a deficient risk analysis on the impact of the works.
Specifically, they allege that there are technical flaws that make the project unfeasible in environmental terms and a health risk due to the presence of toxic waste and polluting liquids that would not be treated correctly (neither due to the current dump in operation, nor contemplated in the new plays). In the same way, they point out that the site chosen to carry out the new landfill would not have sufficient capacity to fulfill the function, coupled with the potential damage to nearby sites considered historical heritage. The foregoing would also significantly affect, from their point of view, the quality of life and the assets of the residents who live in the direct area of influence of both landfills.
Finally, the Request alleges issues outside the scope of the MICI, such as potential irregularities in the bidding process or with respect to local regulations on works, which will be forwarded to the Offices of Institutional Integrity and Procurement.
On April 6, 2022, MICI determined that the Request was eligible because it met all the eligibility criteria established in the MICI Policy. The MICI process excludes issues also included in the Request that relate to possible irregularities in the procurement, bidding, contracting, and awarding of companies, as these matters are outside of the MICI’s scope. This determination of eligibility is not an assessment of the merits of the Request or of the issues contained therein.
The Request was transferred to the Consultation Phase as per the decision of the Requesters.
On February 4, 2022, the MICI notified the Requesters and Management of the registration of the Request.
B
Integrated Urban Solid Waste Management Program.
WATER AND SANITATION
Loan Operation
USD 150,000,000
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Registration
Registered
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Eligibility
Eligible
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Assessment
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Consultation Process
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Monitoring
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Recommendation for a CR and ToRs
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Investigation
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CR Report
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Monitoring
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Registration |
Consultation Phase (CP) |
Compliance Review Phase (CRP) |
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| Steps and milestones | Date | Remarks | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registry | |||
|
Request Receipt |
2022-01-31 |
Requests of a confidential nature are not published. | |
|
Notice of Registration |
2022-02-04 |
5 business days from the date of receipt of the Request or 15 business days when further information is required from the Requesters. | |
| Elegibility | |||
|
Management Response |
2022-03-08 |
21 business days from the date of notice of registration. The response will be published as an annex to the Eligibility Memorandum. | |
|
Eligibility due date |
2022-04-06 |
21 business days from the date of receipt of Management Response or 45 business days after the Suspension is granted. | |
|
Eligibility Memorandum Public Disclosure |
2022-04-18 |
As per the Access to Information Policy (OP-102) the disclosure of this document is done simultaneous to its distribution to the Board of Executive Directors. | |
| Consultation phase | |||
| Assessment | |||
|
Deadline for Assessment |
2022-06-06 |
40 business days from the date of issuance of the eligibility memorandum. | |