By: Mnena Iyorkegh, Abuja
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is urging member States to prioritise payment of their community levies.
The call is coming at a time ECOWAS is facing significant financial challenges as several member states struggle to meet their community levy obligations.
The community levy, a 0.5% tax imposed on goods imported from non-ECOWAS countries, constitutes between 70% and 90% of the regional bloc’s annual budget.
The Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Damtien Tchintchibidja, at the opening of the 37th Meeting of ECOWAS Administration and Finance Committee in Abuja, emphasize the urgency for all member states to honour their financial commitments to ensure the continued success and stability of the regional body.
“Our organisation is at a crossroads, and this calls for a strong capacity to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of integration and to project ourselves into the future. But beyond all that, we must be aware and recognise that our strength lies in unity, solidarity and fraternity. Indeed, moving forward together on the road to development, in peace and stability, is priceless”, She said
She expressed heartfelt appreciation to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and current Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, for his continued leadership and support to the regional bloc.
Tchintchibidja also acknowledged the guidance provided by other Heads of State of ECOWAS Member States, underscoring their crucial role in steering the Community’s institutions toward achieving regional integration and development goals.
“Member States it is essential and imperative for us to speed up the institutional, organisational, political and security reforms needed in order to adapt to the new realities. I therefore appeal to your sense of responsibility so that together we can undertake the necessary reforms”, she noted
Adding that, “I would like to remind you that ECOWAS is all of us: you here today, me, and all the citizens of our community space. It lives through our collective commitment, our solidarity, our fraternity and our shared desire to build a more prosperous and forward-looking region, hence the theme of our Golden Jubilee”, she added.
Commissioner for Internal Services, ProfessorvNazifi Abdullahi Darma, emphasized the importance of strategic thinking and collaboration among AFC members.
He urged participants to ensure optimal resource allocation to produce concrete, impactful outcomes for the citizens of the ECOWAS Community.
Declaring the meeting open, Chair of the 37th AFC, Ambassador Olawale Awe, praised the robust participation of Member States, calling it a clear reflection of their shared dedication to the regional integration agenda of ECOWAS.
The outcomes of this mid-year assessment are expected to shape future decisions and reinforce the Commission’s drive toward efficiency, unity, and impactful service delivery across West Africa.
Hauwa M.