DEADLINE: 1ST APRIL, 2026
EBONYI STATE MINISTRY OF WORKS AND TRANSPORT
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR CONSULTING SERVICES FOR ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL PERFORMANCE AUDIT (ESPA) FOR THE EBONYI STATE RING ROAD PROJECT
REF NO: EBRRP/CS/QCS/26/03
COUNTRY- STATE: NIGERIA – EBONYI STATE
NAME OF PROJECT: EBONYI STATE RING ROAD PROJECT
A. BACKGROUND
The Government of Ebonyi State has received financing from the African Development Bank comprising an ADB Loan of USD 40 Million and an Africa Growing Together Fund (AGTF) Loan of USD 30 Million approved in April 2019 for the implementation of the Ebonyi State Ring Road Project. The Project is co-financed by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) with approximately USD 80 Million and counterpart
funding from the Ebonyi State Government.
The Project entails the rehabilitation and upgrading of approximately 177.81 km of road infrastructure to concrete pavement standards across four sections:
- Section I: Ohaukwu – Onueke (35.48 km)
- Section II: Onueke – Nwezenyi (52.42 km)
- Section III: Nwezenyi – Ndoko (50.99 km)
- Section IV: Ndoko – Ezzamgbo (38.91 km)
The Project includes associated Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs), Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEPs), Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) measures, and GBV/SEAH Action Plans.
In accordance with the Financing Agreement and the Bank’s Integrated Safeguards System (ISS), the Borrower is required to undertake Annual Environmental & Social Performance Audits (ESPA) to independently assess compliance and performance of environmental and social risk management measures during implementation.
B. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The objective of the Annual ESPA is to independently assess the environmental and social performance of the Ebonyi State Ring Road Project.
Specifically, the audit shall:
- Determine compliance with E&S covenants in the Financing Agreement,
- Assess conformity with applicable Nigerian environmental and social legislation,
- Evaluate alignment with AfDB Integrated Safeguards System (ISS) and Good International Industry Practice (GIIP),
- Identify non-compliance, systemic weaknesses and root causes,
- Develop a costed, time-bound Corrective Action Plan (CAP),
- Provide an independent assessment of SPIU and Bank support performance.
C. SCOPE OF SERVICES
The Consultant shall, inter alia:
- Review Financing Agreement E&S covenants and approved safeguard instruments (ESIA, ESMP, RAP, SEP, GBV/SEAH Action Plan, etc.),
- Identify applicable AfDB ISS requirements including labour standards, GBV/SEAH, child and forced labour, OHS and climate risk management,
- Review Nigerian regulatory approvals, permits and compliance records,
- Assess institutional capacity of the SPIU for E&S management,
- Conduct field inspections across representative road sections to verify mitigation measures and contractor compliance,
- Engage contractors, supervising engineers, regulatory agencies, PAPs, host communities, MDAs and CSOs,
- Evaluate grievance redress mechanisms and stakeholder engagement effectiveness,
- Assess overall E&S performance of the Borrower/SPIU,
- Prepare an Inception Report, Draft ESPA Report and Final ESPA Report including a detailed, costed Corrective Action Plan (CAP),
- Conduct validation and closing meetings to agree on corrective actions and responsibilities.
D. DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The duration of the assignment is eight (8) to ten (10) weeks, inclusive of desk review, fieldwork, stakeholder consultations, reporting and validation meetings.
E. ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATIONS
Interested consulting firms must demonstrate:
- Legal registration and eligibility to operate in Nigeria,
- Proven experience in Environmental & Social safeguards audits for large-scale infrastructure projects,
- Demonstrated experience with Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) financed projects (AfDB, World Bank, IFC, EIB, IsDB, etc.),
- Strong familiarity with AfDB Integrated Safeguards System (ISS) and Nigerian environmental regulations,
- Experience in road or transport infrastructure projects.
The Consultant shall deploy a multidisciplinary team including, at minimum: - Team Leader/Senior Environmental & Social Safeguards Expert (minimum 15 years’ experience),
- Environmental Specialist (minimum 10 years’ experience),
- Social/Resettlement Specialist (minimum 10 years’ experience),
- OHS/GBV–SEAH Specialist (minimum 8 years’ experience),
- Other supporting experts as required.
All experts shall possess relevant academic qualifications and professional certifications. Firms may associate to enhance their qualifications.
F. SELECTION METHOD
The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) method under the Procurement Policy for IPF Borrowers of the African Development Bank.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the African Development [Bank’s Guidelines: Rules and Procedures for the Use of Consultants [May 2008 & revised July 2012], setting forth the AfD Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment: [as per paragraph 1.9 of Consultant Guidelines].
G. SUBMISSION OF EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Interested firms shall submit:
- Company profile and registration documents,
- Evidence of similar assignments completed (with references),
- Description of relevant experience,
- CVs of proposed key experts,
- Contact details.
Expressions of Interest must be clearly marked: “Expression of Interest – Annual Environmental and Social Performance Audit, Ebonyi State Ring Road Project” and must be delivered in hard copy to the address below on or before April 1, 2026 at 12:00 noon NGT. Only shortlisted firms will be contacted.
H. ADDRESS FOR SUBMISSION AND FURTHER INFORMATION
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours [0900 to 1700 hours].
Ebonyi State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU)
Ebonyi State Ring Road Project (EBRRP) Office
Block 10 Centenary City Secretariat Complex
Abakaliki
Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Attention: Nkwuda, Monday N.
Email: abakalikiringroad@gmail.com
Telephone: +234(0)8034234021
