ABUJA (Web Content Team Report) – The 46th Ordinary Session of the Head of States and Governments of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched its Common External Tariff (CET) at the meeting which held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Maitama, Abuja from December 14 – 15, 2014.
During the meeting, the Heads of ECOWAS Member-States discussed on strengthening the fight against Ebola Virus Disease, consolidating on peace building, economic stability as well as enhancing democracy and eradicating terrorism, insurgency and the spread of violence in the region.
In his welcome address at the occasion, Nigerian President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan welcomed delegates and other participants to the event, saying Nigeria is pleased to be the host of the Summit. He also expressed appreciation to the President of the interim government of the Republic of Burkina Faso, Michel Kafando and explained that the appointment of the leader reflects the high calling of the Authority of the Heads of States and Government of ECOWAS and its commitment to democracy and good governance.
President Goodluck Jonathan added that despite the challenges that have confronted Nigeria, it has been able to fight the common fight over insurgency, noting that the installation of Michel Kafando as Head of Interim Government was supposed to bring to end insurgency in the West African Sub-region. He called for stability in other ECOWAS Regions such as Guinea Bissau, urging the leaders to work towards returning their countries to normalcy.
“Nigeria remains committed to establishing peace and stability in the West African Region. A politically stable West Africa will safeguard the vital interest of all our people in the search for global peace. West Africa is one of the fastest growing sub-regions in Africa as Nigeria recorded an economic growth rate of 7% in 2013 against 6% in 2012,” he informed.
“We should be glad indeed that the region is progressing because of our huge market and various integration programmes. In as much as a lot has been recorded in the area of democracy and economic growth, we must also agree that there have been challenges, current among these is the Ebola epidemic.”
The president further called on development partners and the international community to contribute to the ECOWAS Solidarity Fund towards fighting Ebola Disease prevalence, stating that the disease has resulted to over 7,000 deaths impacting negatively on the economy of the region. He ascribed to the proliferation of small arms and light weapons the unreliable cause of terrorism and threatening of the peace of the sub-region. He affirmed that the existence of other vices like drug trafficking requires closer global alliance on terrorism and violence in the sub-region.
According to him, as ECOWAS prepares to mark its 40th Anniversary in 2015, its member-states must not forget that beyond political stability, the economic development of the sub-region is the fundamental objective of the organisation. He called for commitment to achieving convergence and harmonisation of the sub-region. The President said that activities of the sub-region must conform to global best practices, building confidence and viral growth. He also observed that activities aimed at reviving its revenue base should not continue with the business of leisure, if the organisation is to ensure its vision.
“Our organisation has been universally acclaimed. I believe that we will be able to achieve best standards, if we continue to sustain, act and speak in one voice as a region. West Africa has the greatest number of member – states which is an important leverage for us. We must utilise it,” he said.
The Chairman of the Authority of Head of States of ECOWAS, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana in his opening remarks at the occasion commended the President of Nigeria for hosting the event as well as President Michel Kafando, President Alassane Ouattara, Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, Ibn Chambers (Dr) and Edem Kodjo for working to restore peace through the transitional government in Burkina Faso.
He congratulated the Head of Burkina Faso interim government on behalf of Heads of States and Government of ECOWAS on his assumption of duty as head of his country; also members of the ECOWAS mission to Ouagadougou as well as the United Nations for helping to resolve the crises in the region. President John Mahama indicated that the efforts towards strong political integration has been hampered by several factors. He reiterated need for a successful presidential election, inclination with the international financial community and rapid development implementation in Guinea Bissau.
The Chairman of ECOWAS Heads of States and Government mentioned that the sub-region has been besieged by organised crime, drug trafficking, terrorism, maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and insecurity posed by Boko Haram in the North East of Nigeria.
“We will work with concerted efforts to address these security threats. Peace and stability are much needed to create jobs for our people. Terrorism or lack of security in one African nation affects the whole of our sub-region. We must work harder to keep West Africa secure and safe for the overall growth of our people,” President John Mahama said.
“The coming year 2015 will be a demanding one for the West African multiparty democratic governance. This will be put to test again in parts of our member-states: Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Guinea among others. The efforts of the ECOWAS Mission is tied to encouraging these countries. On behalf of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of States, I will extend to their Governments some few people in accordance to the element of support as enshrined in the protocol on good governance and other related protocols and hope for free, fair and credible elections.”
On infrastructure development, President John Dramani Mahama identified the implementation of the harmonisation policy, the Nigeria – Cameroon Facilitation Programme, the Africa Highway Programme, the Trans-Gambia Transport Corridor, Africa Lagos Corridor Development and the Abidjan Corridor Development Programme as desirable. He espoused on need for collaboration with the member-states, who were involved the programme and the draft treaty agreement signed by Presidents of member states in March 2014 during the meeting held in Yamoussoukro, Cote D’Ivoire.
He expressed gratitude to the President of Togo for the first-ever handing over of the historic border post to ease congestion, reduce time, ensure full integration of trade liberalisation and establish common market policies. “Integration is a must for enhanced economic stability, fostering of better understanding and contributing to the development of the African continent. The ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) regime is expected to come into force in January 2015. These achievements are quite encouraging without doubt to accelerate the regional economic integration process and the development of ECOWAS institutions,” he added.
“The Ebola Virus Disease has created more than 256 laboratories and left more than 6,600 people dead. I wish to express my solidarity to the government and people of these countries as they face the war against the disease. I wish to commend our individual, bilateral, multilateral partners and volunteers for their struggle to contain the Ebola Virus Disease.”
In his statement at the Summit, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Kadre Desire Ouedraogo stated that the commission has been dedicated to ensuring the free movement of persons within the ECOWAS Region. Adding, the commission since the last ordinary session has engaged the first election reconstruction phase, sector reform and programmes for the development of unity, peace and stability in the sub-region by the new authority.
Kadre Desire Ouedraogo expressed the commission’s keen appreciation for conduct of the first divine initiation in partnership with the UN, AU and La’ Francophone Unions in September 2014. He informed that the exercise by country development partners and 60 La’ Francophone Unions was concluded in New York with the 69th Ordinary Session of the UN General Assembly. He reiterated the readiness of the commission to support integration priorities and development programmes, saying it signed the United Nations Peace Agreement in London in November 2014.
“Nevertheless, I am confident that over the few years, we have all witnessed the realisation of your vision which your sense of solidarity and quality dissemination have helped us to achieve. I am desirous of your cooperation to enable us find a lasting remedy to the Ebola Virus Disease in solidarity with the most affected countries – Guinea, Nigeria and Sierra Leone which I visited on November 19, 2014 to extend the community’s support,” he averred.
“Continue your support to ECOWAS to enable it play its mobilising role required by the international community to Guinea Bissau in the phase of the coming election.”
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