The ECOWAS Parliament has vowed to protect the means of livelihoods of Community citizens.
The Speaker of the Regional Parliament, Sidie Mohamed Tunis made the pledge in Freetown, the Sierra Leonean capital during the official closing of the just concluded 2021 First Extraordinary Session of ECOWAS Parliament.
Mr. Tunis noted that the mandate of the Community Parliament is to ensure the survival of the region.
He said that the parliamentarians will not relent in their efforts to ensure the livelihoods of their people are protected especially in these trying times when they are unsure of what lies ahead with many economies facing recession, their youths battling unemployment and community children out of school.
“The threat posed by Global Warming is being felt by every one of us, the rising temperature will be a harbinger of its own unique challenges and tests.
“In West Africa, we are an adaptable and resilient people but we cannot continue to rely on our ability to withstand the blows that life throws at us.
“We need to be prepared, organized, continuously engaged in working towards an integrated system that will ensure the values, freedom and rights of our Community are safeguarded”, he said.
Mr. Tunis employed the legislators to never betray the trust reposed in them to serve well, lead well and represent adequately.
Presentation and adoption of reports
Earlier, the Parliament presented and adopted in plenary, the report of the standing, joint, and ad hoc committees and reports of Parliamentary fact-finding and oversight missions as well as consideration and adoption of the resolution of the Freetown Parliamentary Seminar on Community Levy.
The parliament also resolved to approach the ECOWAS Court of Justice for interpretation on the continued participation of Mali MPs under the transitional Government following the military coup that displaced the democratically elected Government in the country.
On the attempted coup in Niger Republic, the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Idris Wase, who is also the Deputy Speaker in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, said that democracy must be protected in the sub-region.
He condemned the attempted coup, adding that West Africa must not be allowed to slide back to dark days of military junta.
He thanked Sierra Leonean authorities for their warm welcome and hospitality during the Extraordinary Session in Freetown.
Adoption of 4-year strategic plan to strengthen decision making
The Fifth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament also adopted its four-year strategic plan (2020-2024) which would provide direction in decision-making and resource allocation among member states.
The strategic plan is a framework for guiding programmes and activities of the Parliament for the current term (2020-2024).
It clearly indicates the vision, mission, goals and objectives of the Institution.
It takes into account the achievements of previous Legislatures and takes into consideration major political, economic, social and environmental changes taking place in the West African region and the world.
The strategic plan aligned with the region’s development priorities, emphasises people’s participation in community affairs in line with ECOWAS’ vision of building an “ECOWAS of the people”.
The Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Mohamed Tunis, in his closing speech, welcomed the adoption of the strategic plan as a true compass for the Institution.
In recalling the responsibility of parliamentarians to contribute to the construction of a self-sufficient and peaceful Sub region, Sidie Mohamed Tunis said he dreams of a West Africa that will no longer be synonymous with conflict, disease, corruption or poverty.
“If we don’t prioritise our Sub-region, no one else will”, he said.
He urged his fellow parliamentarians not to relent in their efforts to secure livelihoods for the people in these difficult times of economic recession especially women and youth.
Mr. Tunis noted that the West African region, like the rest of the world, is still facing Covid-19 pandemic and therefore called for synergy of actions and solidarity among member States to overcome the global pandemic.
Nneka Ukachukwu
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