EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/542

(2004/C 88 E/0554)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0852/04

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 March 2004)

Subject: Building projects in East Africa

East Africa covers the area east of the Central African Rift Valley between Ethiopia and the Ruvuma River and includes the countries of Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania. Typical of these countries are weak and underfunded State institutions, often unable to fulfil important government responsibilities. They can therefore cope with only very few of the challenges posed by sustainable development. The result is poverty and social underdevelopment. Moreover, running water, electricity and smoothly operating infrastructure are still rarities, with a lack of educational institutions and poor health also impeding progress.

Since the regions do not possess their own financial resources to combat the poverty, they have to rely on the transfer of capital and on development work from abroad.

In the light of the precarious situation in East Africa, will the Commission say:

— whether there already are Commission-assisted building projects for East Africa covering all the technical fields in construction and architecture, or

— whether any are planned?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(27 April 2004)

The European Union's development policy since November 2000 has focused on poverty reduction and has three priority areas of cooperation: economic development, social and human development, integration and regional cooperation.

Under this approach priorities are set on a country-by-country basis and the principle of channelling resources to one or two focal sectors is a key element of cooperation. The part played by construction in this cooperation varies in each individual case, but it is impossible to estimate the value of all the assistance we have provided in this area as it forms part of broader programmes.

The majority of building projects are in two priority sectors: health and education, but other sectors also receive aid for the rehabilitation of infrastructure to underpin broader-based programmes. The European Development Fund (EDF) finances building and rehabilitation of health infrastructure ranging from small health centres to referral hospitals. In the education sector the EDF provides assistance for the setting-up and rehabilitation of primary classes, technical colleges and universities. In the 1990s alone, EUR 150 million was provided for health infrastructure in all African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and accounted for some 30 % of EDF resources for the health sector. Examples include the building of two 250-bed hospitals at a total cost of EUR 23 million each in Malawi, and, in the same region, the decision taken by the Commission on 17 February this year to finance the rehabilitation of the National Assembly's buildings and the construction of a building for the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Justice in Rwanda at a cost of EUR 8 million. The implementation of this financing demonstrates Rwanda's determination to move towards the rule of law and good governance with the European Union's active support.

All these projects are designed according to the highest standard by specialised EU and local consultants which include architects, engineers and surveyors.

Projects are awarded to public works companies following invitations to tender. Because they are typically low technology and low cost compared, for example, to road projects, most building projects are undertaken by local companies and this increases their socio-economic impact.