Rigorous checks are made before international aid is awarded to overseas projects.
Phil Gawne, chairman of the International Development Committee, gave the assurance after one critic of overseas aid queried the £24,118 of taxpayers’ cash awarded to the Mannin Africa project to construct two boreholes and four toilets in two border villages in Gambia.
Construction costs totalled £21,218 and travel and other costs £2,900.
John Lavender, of Port Erin, suggested the work should have cost no more than £8,000. He said: ‘I am of the opinion that no taxpayers’ money should be provided as foreign aid. In my view it is badly spent and often counter-productive.’
Mr Gawne said: ‘The IDC has significantly increased its standards in relation to project assessment and evaluation over the past five years.
‘All projects are checked to ensure the body undertaking the work is financially competent and can demonstrate an ability to undertake the work. We have three members of our committee who have direct and active knowledge of international development work and significant ministerial and treasury experience on our committee.
‘Before applications are circulated to the committee IDC officers check them to ensure compliance with IDC policies and then the committee rigorously assesses each application it receives.
‘Project completion reports are submitted and these are checked to ensure the projects have been completed in accordance with the initial application.’
He added: ‘I do understand some people do not believe we should use taxpayers’ money for international development work, but it is perhaps worth reminding people that the amount which we invest in this work is among the lowest of any of the world’s developed nations.’