By the end of the implementation of the Regional Indicative Program (RIP 9th EDF), in December 2012, ECOWAS and UEMOA risk likely a net loss of resources of roughly 30 million euro, due to insufficient human resources for the implementation of projects and delays in the starting and execution many others. This emerges from the analysis made by the 4th Restricted RIP Management Committee on 9th EDF meeting held in Dakar from 6 to 8 of December 2010.
The Restricted RIP Management Committee on the 9th EDF held in a pivotal period of the cooperation between EU and West Africa (note: the transition from the 9th to the 10th EDF) has adopted a series of strong recommendations to correct the many flaws recorded on both sides. Among these recommendations, we can note the need for greater synergy between the National Indicative Programs (NIP) and the Regional Indicative Program (RIP) in the scope of the beginning of the RIP 10th EDF, the acceleration of the implementation of institutional reforms within the Regional Organizations (ROs), the planning of priority activities of high consumption of resources on the 10th EDF RIP, the better planning of activities under the 10th EDF to ensure efficient use of resources; insisting on periodic reporting by Project Managers and the opening of the convergence of both ROs to administrative and financial issues; decision making in order to finance the transitional period for the implementation of the 10th EDF RIP etc..
During the three days of discussions, participants have discussed at length on the level of the implementation of the 9th EDF RIP and the recommendations of previous RIP Management Committees. The discussions showed that the implementation of the 9th EDF RIP has lagged far behind. The overall implementation rate was only 44% on June 30, 2010; a net loss of resources of approximately Euro 30 million is possible, after the execution of the last Contribution Convention in December 2012. The first area of concentration related to integration and trade displays an absorption rate of 47%. The absorption rate of the second focal sector related to infrastructures is 33%. Finally, the non-concentration shows a rate of about 54%.
Furthermore, the meeting was an opportunity for the participants to discuss on the situation of loss of resources that were not consumed before expiration time and on the difficulties of communication between the two regional organizations and between regional organizations and EU Delegations. In addition to these issues, the meeting also examined more specific issues, including the amendment request for the extension of the project ERSUMA (Regional High School of Magistracy), lack of synergy between the UEMOA Quality Programs and ECOWAS, the lack of human resources at UNIDA and finally, the conditionality of the member states’ contributions to the CRSP (Sub-regional fishing Committee).
The participants also discussed extensively the progress of convergence between UEMOA and ECOWAS, in particular aspects related to the implementation of the CET, macroeconomic convergence, cooperation with IGOs (intergovernmental Organizations), EPA and the free movement of persons and property. The meeting proposed a greater involvement of policy makers in the functioning of the proposals made at the meetings of the Joint Technical Secretariat.
The thorny issue of the transitional phase of the implementation of RIP 10th EDF was also discussed. In order to prevent a gap in funding in 2012, a meeting was proposed to be held to compile the point of view of EU and regional organizations on funding mechanisms for the 10th EDF RIP.
By the end of the implementation of the Regional Indicative Program (RIP 9th EDF), in December 2012, ECOWAS and UEMOA risk likely a net loss of resources of roughly 30 million euro, due to insufficient human resources for the implementation of projects and delays in the starting and execution many others. This emerges from the analysis made by the 4th Restricted RIP Management Committee on 9th EDF meeting held in Dakar from 6 to 8 of December 2010.
The Restricted RIP Management Committee on the 9th EDF held in a pivotal period of the cooperation between EU and West Africa (note: the transition from the 9th to the 10th EDF) has adopted a series of strong recommendations to correct the many flaws recorded on both sides. Among these recommendations, we can note the need for greater synergy between the National Indicative Programs (NIP) and the Regional Indicative Program (RIP) in the scope of the beginning of the RIP 10th EDF, the acceleration of the implementation of institutional reforms within the Regional Organizations (ROs), the planning of priority activities of high consumption of resources on the 10th EDF RIP, the better planning of activities under the 10th EDF to ensure efficient use of resources; insisting on periodic reporting by Project Managers and the opening of the convergence of both ROs to administrative and financial issues; decision making in order to finance the transitional period for the implementation of the 10th EDF RIP etc..
During the three days of discussions, participants have discussed at length on the level of the implementation of the 9th EDF RIP and the recommendations of previous RIP Management Committees. The discussions showed that the implementation of the 9th EDF RIP has lagged far behind. The overall implementation rate was only 44% on June 30, 2010; a net loss of resources of approximately Euro 30 million is possible, after the execution of the last Contribution Convention in December 2012. The first area of concentration related to integration and trade displays an absorption rate of 47%. The absorption rate of the second focal sector related to infrastructures is 33%. Finally, the non-concentration shows a rate of about 54%.
Furthermore, the meeting was an opportunity for the participants to discuss on the situation of loss of resources that were not consumed before expiration time and on the difficulties of communication between the two regional organizations and between regional organizations and EU Delegations. In addition to these issues, the meeting also examined more specific issues, including the amendment request for the extension of the project ERSUMA (Regional High School of Magistracy), lack of synergy between the UEMOA Quality Programs and ECOWAS, the lack of human resources at UNIDA and finally, the conditionality of the member states’ contributions to the CRSP (Sub-regional fishing Committee).
The participants also discussed extensively the progress of convergence between UEMOA and ECOWAS, in particular aspects related to the implementation of the CET, macroeconomic convergence, cooperation with IGOs (intergovernmental Organizations), EPA and the free movement of persons and property. The meeting proposed a greater involvement of policy makers in the functioning of the proposals made at the meetings of the Joint Technical Secretariat.
The thorny issue of the transitional phase of the implementation of RIP 10th EDF was also discussed. In order to prevent a gap in funding in 2012, a meeting was proposed to be held to compile the point of view of EU and regional organizations on funding mechanisms for the 10th EDF RIP.