EU-funded elevator in Sicily
11.2.2015
Question for written answer E-002295-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Raymond Finch (EFDD)
There have been recent media reports about an EU-funded elevator linking the Sicilian village of Sutera to a hilltop monastery.
The elevator in question was completed in 2012 but has never functioned, because the local council cannot afford the EUR 100 000 annual operating, maintenance and insurance costs. Moreover, there are suspicions that much of the money paid out to contractors has gone to the local mafia. Many of the village’s inhabitants say that financial aid would have been put to better use mending the potholed road that connects Sutera with the outside world[1].
How much money has the Commission provided to Italy/Sutera to build this elevator?
On the basis of what criteria was this decision taken, bearing in mind the principles of good governance and good use of taxpayers' money?
Why did the Commission not foresee that the local council of Sutera would not be able to maintain and operate the elevator?
- [1] See article by Nick Squires and Bruno Waterfield in the Daily Telegraph of 9.2.2015 entitled ‘Scandal of Sicilian village’s 2 million euro EU-funded “lift to nowhere”’.