The Latvian Ministry of Finance emphasizes that European Union funding ought to be utilized responsibly rather than merely pursued for the sake of utilization, in light of recent findings from an audit on electric bus procurement.
The Latvian Ministry of Finance has reacted to audit findings regarding the procurement of electric buses, highlighting the need for responsible use of European Union funding. It stated that these funds should not be sought after purely for the sake of absorption, but should be invested wisely to achieve meaningful outcomes. The Ministry's comments follow a report from the State Audit Office, which noted that recent purchases of buses appeared more focused on accessing EU funds rather than yielding optimal results for the community.
The Ministry clarified that both EU funds and resources from the Recovery Fund are allocated according to national priorities and the specific needs of sectors. This strategic planning is intended to address pressing issues and challenges faced by various target groups, including municipalities. It encourages a thorough assessment of needs and the feasibility of implementing specific projects, rather than merely aiming to use up available funding.
Furthermore, the Ministry underscored that the funding for the purchase of electric buses was awarded through a competitive process, indicating that there was no inherent pressure to utilize the funds for the sake of not losing them. This suggests an effort to align investment with strategic goals rather than merely fulfilling funding requirements, which could lead to inefficient use of resources and suboptimal outcomes for public projects.
