Insecurity: Parliament Pledges More Collaboration with Development Partners

Insecurity: Parliament Pledges More Collaboration with Development Partners

work with partners to strengthen security in the sub-region and to enhance the macroeconomic growth variables of Member States. The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Moustapha Cisse Lo, who gave this assurance in his welcome address at the opening of the 2019 First Ordinary Session in Abuja, disclosed that the institution had made giant strides in curtailing insecurity and strengthening political stability in the ECOWAS sub-region. The 28-day session opened on 7th May, where Members of Parliament considered and adopted the May 2019 draft agenda and work programme. However, the opening of the 1st Ordinary Session, was preceded by the meeting of the Bureau of Parliament followed by the Conference of Committees Bureaux where the draft work programme of the Standing, Joint and Ad-hoc committees were approved and ratified respectively. In addition, the session featured the traditional presentation of Country Reports to the Plenary by

delegations of Member States, as well as Reports of de-localized meetings of Joint-Committees and Parliamentary Fact-Finding missions. Speaking further, Rt. Hon. Cisse Lo also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his support and selfless commitment towards the progress of ECOWAS and noted that the Community was improving on the free movement of goods in the region for the benefit of the economies of Member States. He further applauded the synergy between the Parliament and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in the fight against impediments that could threaten the integration agenda in the sub-region. Speaker Cisse Lo also lauded progress made so far in achieving ECOWAS Protocols for desired regional integration. According to him, though there have been some challenges, substantive progress had been made in the effective actualization of most of the ECOWAS Protocols for the desired integration of the people.

to strengthening its intervention mechanisms so as to stabilize and address terrorism, cross-border crimes, inter-ethnic clashes, unemployment and migration in the sub-region. President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou gave this indication in his goodwill message to the Plenary at the opening of the 1st Ordinary Session of the Parliament at Abuja, Nigeria. He held that the region was faced with several security challenges but assured that the Commission would continue to work closely with the Parliament to reinforce good political governance and democracy in the sub-region. “It is working hand-in-hand and in synergy so that we will achieve the objectives set by our founding fathers, that is, a united and

prosperous ECOWAS, for the harmonious development of our people. In that respect, we will boost the cooperation, consultation and inter-institutional dialogue framework, through the frequent conduct of meetings”, President Brou stated. Continuing, he promised that “We will equally give new momentum to the implementation of joint programs through the technical working committees. The support of the ECOWAS Parliament is invaluable in achieving greater visibility for ECOWAS Member States.” The Commission’s President also said the subregion’s economic prospects were promising given the “good performance of major macroeconomic indicators”. He added that the details of progress made in the region would be presented in his State of the Community Report in the course of the session.

ECOWAS Commits to Strengthen Security in the Region

Guinea Records Decline in 2018 Economic Growth

Guinea’s economic trajectory is in decline as it recorded a 5.8% economic growth rate in 2018, a decline from the 6.7% it recorded in 2017. Its Country Report presented by the delegation of Guinea to Parliament, said the Member State’s 2017 economy was driven by a buoyant mining sector despite disruptions in the 1st quarter due to social grievances in relation to salary negotiations and political movements in the aftermath of the municipal elections. The Report also revealed that “In 2017, the extractive sub-sector (bauxite, gold and diamond production) accounted for the greatest proportion of the secondary sector and played a key role in the national economy, as its contribution to GDP was estimated at 16.8% and more than 50% to value addition”. However, “the performance of the extractive sub-sector in 2018 was largely driven by increased production of bauxite and diamond, a trend underpinned by the

resumption of aluminum production as well as artisanal gold mining. “This optimistic trend was the outcome of the resumption in June, 2018 of the Fria aluminum production, which was halted in 2012 on one hand, and the inception of the production phases of the COBAD/ RUSSAL/ Dian-Dian project in June 2018 and of the ALUFER project in October 2018, on the other hand”. The Report further disclosed that “The governance of the sub-sector, therefore, strives to ensure that effort is made to put in place conducive mechanism that will guarantee peaceful cohabitation between industrial mining units and communities living in the mining areas in order to stabilize production and transportation activities. “One of the goals to be pursued in 2019 is the operationalization of the Local Development Fund (FODEL) and the local consultation committee in mining communities”, the Report also stated.

that despite efforts toward curbing the menace, the country still suffered serious insecurity and terrorist attacks. The Country Report presented by MP Boukari Sani Malam Caibou on behalf of the six-member delegation, indicated that “Niger’s military forces are fighting on several fronts from the border with Burkina Faso up to the Libyan border and from the border with Mali up to the Lake Chad basin. “In the face of this security challenge, the government will continuously recruit, train, equip and build the capacity of the defense and security forces. Niger will also participate in capacity building with neighbouring countries, both with the Joint Multinational Force fighting Boko Haram and the G5 Sahel Force”, the Report continued. It further emphasized the determination and optimism of the Nigerien government to end all forms of terrorism in the country, stressing that when achieved, will improve the security in the entire sub-region.

insecurity in Niger and incessant terrorists’ attacks, the country is set to partner Member States of ECOWAS and Chad to curb the menace. The Nigerien delegation disclosed this in the Country Report delivered to the Plenary and stated

Niger will also participate in capacity building with neighbouring countries, both with the Joint Multinational Force fighting Boko Haram and the G5 Sahel Force

Hon. Humado Kofi Clement

MP Raises Concern as Guinea Bans Demonstrations

Demonstration by civil society is guided by their constitutional right, hence banning of campaign and demonstration amounts to encroaching on their constitutional rights by limiting their freedom of expression and assembly.

Hon. Humado Kofi Clement (Ghana) has expressed a level of worry over the banning of protests and demonstrations by the Government of Guinea. The Member of Parliament raised the concern following the delegation of Guinea’s presentation to the Plenary, of the Country Report where it was stated that “Freedom of assembly, association and demonstration is generally respected. However, over recent times, following political and social grievances, marches and demonstrations have been banned”. Ironically, according to the same Report delivered by Hon. Alpha Souleymane Bah, “Freedom of assembly and expression is enshrined in the Constitution and the government of Guinea ensures its implementation through the adoption of a wide range of laws relating to communication bodies and the profession”. Humado noted that demonstration by civil society organizations is guided by their constitutional right, hence banning of campaign and demonstration amounts to encroaching on their constitutional rights by limiting their freedom of expression and assembly.

Women Rights: Guinea Introduces New Criminal Code

Niger Pushes for Self-Sufficiency in Electricity, Invests Over 750bn CFA

Security Crisis: Parliament Seeks Execution of UN, Mali Peace Agreement

taken giant steps and invested hugely in making the country self-sufficient in electricity. Niger’s Country Report to the Plenary disclosed that the Member State has invested hugely in the last couple of years on energy infrastructure. Presenting the Report, the delegation stated that the country targets 2023 to complete several projects that would boost its power generation. It also revealed that the country plans to electrify 1,000 settlements before 2021 and acquire 15,000 solar street lights. It further outlined some of the projects which have been completed or are in progress to include: a 130 Mega Watts Kandadji Hydroelectric Power Station, valued at 750 billion CFA, extension of the Chirozerine Coal Power Plant and construction of the Salkadamna Coal Complex. The Report revealed that there is also the 7 megawatts Solar Photovoltaic plant in Malbaza with funding from India and the Gas Thermal Power Plant in the Zinder region. “In the light of such on-going significant energy infrastructure, the government intends to make Niger a self-sufficient and energy exporting country”, the Report concluded.

Hon. Youssouf Aya

host the Secretariat of the proposed Continental Free Trade Initiative in its capital, Accra, it has begun soliciting the support of ECOWAS Member States to enable it accomplish that self-assigned task. Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorker Botchwey made the request at the ECOWAS Parliament’s delocalized Joint Committee meeting in Accra, Ghana. The Minister stated that Ghana has since its independence in 1957, committed so much to Africa’s unity and therefore, deserves the hosting right of a Continental initiative such as AFCFTA. “Our Government has decided to and has, indeed, formally expressed its interest to have Ghana host the Secretariat of the African Continental Free trade Area (AFCFTA), here in Accra. We are of the firm belief that Ghana’s history and credentials on Pan Africanism and her continuous commitment to the ideals and values of the African Union (AU) will make the country to qualify as a worthy

Parliament Adopts 2019 Second Semester Program

Program of Activities for the 2nd semester of the year. The Draft Program which was adopted as part of the opening day activities of the 1st Ordinary Session, comprised key activities designed as a thrust for achieving Parliament’s Strategic Plans. Key activities for the Semester as adopted include the 3rd Delocalized Meeting of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Environment, Water Resources & Rural Development/ Committee on Infrastructure & Industrial Development/ Committee on Health & Social Services/ Committee on Human Rights, Protection of the Child and Other Vulnerable Groups. The Delocalized meeting is aimed at addressing the contributions of the international

organizations and non-governmental organizations towards providing healthcare services and accommodation for displaced persons and refugees in West Africa. The Parliament will also in the 2nd semester, organize a 4th Delocalized Meeting of the Joint Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and African Peer Review Mechanism, Committee on Gender, Women Empowerment and Social Protection and the Committee on Legal and Judicial Affairs. Furthermore, in the quest to promote peace, security and good governance and human rights, the Parliament will be observing the presidential election of Guinea Bissau which is scheduled to hold in July, 2019. The Parliament is also geared towards ensuring the participation and representation of the entire populace in the Community decision-making process and strengthening the institutional roles which includes further enhancing the powers of the ECOWAS Parliament. Against that backdrop, the Plenary adopted that Parliament will be organizing Parliamentary Seminar on the fight against corruption to be swiftly followed by the statutory Extraordinary Session, both of which would be held in Liberia.

Growing Insecurity in the Region Worries ECOWAS

Insecurity in Cote d’Ivoire Reduces to 1.1%

in Cote d’Ivoire have reduced to 1.1% against 1.3% reported at the end of 2018, according to the Country Report delivered by the Delegation of Cote d’Ivoire to the Parliament. Hon. Aka Herve who presented the Report on behalf of the delegation, informed Members of Parliament that the improvement in the security index was the outcome of the implementation of the internal Security Planning Act as well as reforms in the security sector initiated by the government. “The Government in its continuous effort has intended to build 20 new police stations, the first of which was inaugurated on the 18th of March 2019 in Gbeleban, in northern Cote d’Ivoire” the Report indicated. Furthermore, it stated that the Ivorian government has put in place several policies, including a resocialization

policy, which focuses on reducing children in conflict with the law. It revealed that the initial interventions focused on about 774 children at a total cost of 2.5 billion CFA Francs. The Report stated further that in its fight against crime and terrorism and for a better security program, Cote d’Ivoire organized the meeting of the ECOWAS Chiefs of Police Services which was geared towards taking stock of the security situation in the West African sub-region and to also assess the implementation of the West Africa Police Information System program. “This program, which is in its 3rd phase since 26 June, 2018, comes as a key solution to beefup security in the region by harmonizing judicial measures and police procedures in order to facilitate the establishment of the free movement within the ECOWAS Region” the report stated.

Guinea Bids For Enhanced Protection of Rights of Persons with Disabilities

....Begins Campaign for Registration of Persons with Disabilities

Parliament Mulls PPP to Bridge Infrastructure Funding Gap

Sharing the same line of thoughts, the head of the Ghana Delegation to Parliament, Hon Kwesi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, observed that the theme of the discussion was germaine to the Community, especially, in these days that national development budget continues to shrink in our respective countries. Partnership with the private sector is therefore, a must, he concluded. “We are aware of the commitment of ECOWAS to the implementation of multi model transport infrastructure and policies to stop coercion among Member States and facilitate the movement of people, goods and services within the Community. The principal activity in the road sector has been the continued implementation of ECOWAS Regional Road Transport and Transit Facilitation Program”, Hon. Chereme stated in his welcome address to the Joint Committee. Meanwhile, In the course of the meeting in Ghana, MPs were informed that some Member States, including Ghana, have already taken steps to introduce national policies and pass laws to institutionalize Public, Private-sector Partnerships. This is in the bid to leverage on the financial capital of the private sector to provide critical infrastructures for the respective countries and the people. Experts say Public Private Partnership is an opportunity for Africa, when compared with other arrangements for funding infrastructure projects. The initiative is said to have begun in the United Kingdom in 1992, and was introduced in the Nigerian state in 2005.

infrastructural funding gaps among ECOWAS Member States and the dwindling payment of Community levies, the ECOWAS Parliament has posited that Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative may just be a panacea. Speaking at the opening of the De-localized Joint Committee Meeting of the Committees on Economic Policies, Private Sector & NEPAD and Trade, Customs and Free Movement in Accra, Ghana, Speaker Moustapha Cisse Lo opined that the Community would do well to examine the idea of Public Private Partnership as a means of mitigating the shortfall in the implementation of developmental projects in the sub region. Hon. Speaker Cisse Lo maintained that the theme of the meeting- “Public, Private Partnership: an alternative source of funding for Community programs and projects”, is apt, as most Member States have started using the PPP initiative in meeting up the challenge posed by inadequate funding for critical infrastructures”.

AfDB, ECOWAS Begin Technical Study on 1000km Abidjan-Lagos Highway

promote cross-border trade and integrate fastgrowing economies within the ECOWAS. This is expected to contribute to reducing the poverty levels of the population that depends on inter regional trade for livelihood. Brou added that contracts were also signed with three major consulting firms to undertake feasibility, environmental, socio-economic and detailed engineering designs for the six-lane highway. He said the 1,080km Abidjan-Lagos corridor would connect some of the largest and economically dynamic cities in Africa and also link vibrant seaports which served landlocked countries of the region. In his remarks at the event, the Senior Director, AfDB, Mr. Ebrima Faal, said West Africa needed deeper market integration to promote industrialization for the economic development of the region. Faal said that the objective of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Study was to undertake all the needed technical studies for the effective implementation, operations and economic development of the highway Faal added that “the Bank remains fully committed to the 2020 ECOWAS Vision”.

signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the ECOWAS Commission for a study into a 1,000 kilometre highway linking Cote d’Ivoire’s commercial capital Abidjan, to Lagos in Nigeria. This development marks a new step in advancing regional integration and trade. The proposed Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway, a six-lane (3-lane dual) motorway, will connect Member States via the Capitals of Ghana (Accra), Togo (Lomé) and Benin (Cotonou). The agreement signed for a study on the technical, implementation and operational aspects of the project, comes nearly five years after the Presidents of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria, signed a treaty on the establishment of the highway in March 2014. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Madam Finda Koroma, Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Babatunde Raji Fashola, the Nigerian Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and Chairman of the Ministerial Steering Committee for the Abidjan- Lagos Corridor Highway Development Program, attended the MOU signing ceremony. The Bank has approved a financing package of US$12.6 million to finance part of the study for project and mobilized a Euro 9.1 million grant from the EU Commission, bringing the total financing for this important study, to US$22.7 million. By linking some of Africa’s largest and economically dynamic cities, the road will