Lords committee to quiz European Commission over criticisms of its water aid programme to Africa
The House of Lords European Sub-Committee on External Affairs will hear from senior officials at the European Commission, as part of its investigation into EU-funded water and sanitation projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
On Thursday 4 July the committee will hear from Stathis Dalamangas, Head of Water Sector at the European Commission, and Chloé Fevre, also from the European Commission.
Last week the committee questioned the European Court of Auditors (the ECA) on the effectiveness of the European Union's sub-Saharan aid projects, known as the WASH programme. An earlier ECA report found that fewer than half of the 23 sampled projects satisfactorily ‘delivered results that met the beneficiaries' needs'.
On Thursday the committee will ask the Commission officials:
- How satisfied are you that the Commission has delivered in the WASH sector in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- What has the Commission done in response to the critical ECA report?
- The ECA were sceptical that the Commission has resolved weaknesses highlighted in their report – can you prove the weaknesses have been resolved?
- What steps are being taken to ensure more rigorous and effective monitoring of projects?
The evidence session will take place at 10.30am, on Thursday 4 July in Committee Room 1 of the House of Lords.
