Only half of Rwanda’s public infrastructure projects implement environmental and social safeguards, a new study has shown. As recommended, all infrastructure construction projects should consistently adhere to such safeguards, including measures for pollution control, erosion prevention, biodiversity conservation, and climate-resilient design. The study done by Transparency International-Rwanda surveyed 1,193 people across 13 districts between September and October, engaging households affected by projects, local workers, and community representatives to assess how government agencies and contractors handle transparency, project information, and grievance mechanisms. ALSO READ: Six major infrastructure projects to be funded under Rwf600bn budget The findings found that environmental training for project teams was limited and mostly conducted only at project inception. Community consultations and compensation occurred inconsistently, leaving residents inadequately informed and protected. The findings were released in Kigali on Friday, November 28. The findings showed among other things that restoration measures, such as rehabilitating extraction sites, were implemented irregularly, while supervision and monitoring of contractors on environmental and safety compliance were uneven. In the roads sector, compliance was generally weak. Sites had dust pollution, unprotected slopes, poor erosion control, and unsafe working conditions. Communities faced risks from unstable slopes and open drainage, and documentation was often incomplete. Some good practices, like improved drainage and dust control, were observed but inconsistent. In the water sector, the survey found that protection measures were mostly in place, with reasonable community engagement. However, erosion control, worker safety, and monitoring were uneven, and documentation gaps remained. Some projects showed positive practices, but implementation was inconsistent. In the health sector, most projects met basic safeguards, with well-built structures and safe site selection. Worker safety, waste management, and documentation were only partially implemented. Donor-funded projects generally followed gender and worker conduct safeguards, while others were less consistent. Non-compliance was significant in the education sector. Many schools lacked environmental assessments, proper sanitation, accessibility for learners with disabilities, and safety measures. Structurally, buildings were sound, but environmental, social, and safety safeguards were weak. In the electricity sector, compliance was moderate. Positive practices included safe line routing and documentation, but gaps existed in worker safety, environmental restoration, public safety, and social safeguards. ‘Communities exposed to environmental risks’ Albert Kavatiri Rwego, the organisation’s programme manager, said the results reveal that safeguards required by national laws are often “bypassed or only partially applied,” particularly in the road sector, which recorded the weakest compliance. During field audits in selected districts, researchers documented poorly managed soil dumping near wetlands, limited environmental training for project teams, irregular restoration of extraction sites, and inconsistent community consultation. “These gaps expose communities to environmental risks and undermine long-term sustainability,” Rwego said. Although satisfaction with access to project information was moderate, the study found low attendance at community briefing sessions, and affected residents were least satisfied with how their concerns were handled. Rwego emphasised the importance of early community engagement. “This shows why consultation must never be overlooked. Infrastructure is not only about engineering; it is about people,” he said. The remaining 13 appraisal indicators will be evaluated during an end-line survey once the ongoing activities have progressed. Theophile Mbonera, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, said the ministry’s role is not limited to ensuring accountability after harm has occurred. “Our responsibility is not only to follow up on punishment once the impact is already visible. We also have a duty to help prevent these issues before they occur.” He noted that, in many cases, people only file complaints after they have already suffered the consequences of certain activities, sometimes in situations where lives could even be at risk.
