16/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - After the intervention of the European Ombudsman Nikiforos Diamandouros, the European Commission admitted shortcomings in its project management to supply water for returnees and displaced persons in Liberia. In 2001, an Italian company signed a contract with the European Commission under the European Development Fund, the total expenditure of which amounted to more than €1.5 million. At the end of the contract, the company and the Commission disagreed over the final payments, including management fees for a project account. The complainant turned to the Ombudsman, claiming that the Commission should pay an outstanding sum of €160,000. The Commission agreed to the Ombudsman's proposed solution and even granted compensation payments to the Italian company. As a result, the overall final payment was more than €100,000. The complainant has withdrawn its allegations against the Commission. The full decision can be found at http: //http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/cases/decision.faces/en/3707/html.bookmark (O.J./transl.fl)