By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Kano state Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has cautioned the Community Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), against allowing global powers to turn the region into a dumping ground for finished goods.
Governor Yusuf, who gave this caution to ECOWAS MPs, in Kano, also noted that Africa is not a dumping ground for global markets.
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The Kano Governor urged the Regional Parliament to revisit the issue of a common currency and passports, which would enhance the region’s economic viability and global competitiveness.
Delivering a keynote address at the ongoing Second Extraordinary Session of ECOWAS Parliament in Kano, the Governor, expressed the need to tackle the issue of citizenship amongst ECOWAS member states, regional security, integration, environmental and natural resources challenges, and higher education, employment, poverty, and democratic volatility.
The Governor, also expressed concern about the proliferation of illicit drugs and arms and light weapons, calling for concerted efforts to combat these menaces.
He noted that despite these identified challenges, the West African regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at $633 billion in 2023.
The Governor also highlighted the region’s potential to become a significant global economic key player.
In his goodwill message at the ongoing second extraordinary session, the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, assured the community of federal government’s continued support to ECOWAS Parliament.
Represented by Amb. Musa Nuhu, the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS, the Minister said that ECOWAS Parliament is a vital institution in fostering regional integration.
He stressed the need for ECOWAS Community to strengthen its democratic institutions for the benefits of the region.
He said: “We need to collaborate with all organs and institutions within the ECOWAS. You have at your disposal so many instruments to use for you to achieve that. As regional Parliamentarians, you have a role to play in harnessing the cooperation of our people. The Parliamentarians are closer to our populace and that is why you have to underscore the importance of the role of the position you are occupying today especially in this period where our sub-regional organization is so much challenged with numerous issues.”
The Minister urged the ECOWAS Parliament to use its various mechanisms to engage member countries that are currently under unconstitutional government.
He described the hosting of the regional meeting in the commercial city of Kano as important as it will greatly bridge the gap between the citizens and the regional community.
On his part, the Acting Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Sen. Jibrin Barau, said that the regional parliament is expected to hold deliberations and adopt three very important instruments which bear heavily on the progress and effective implementation of the Parliament’s mandate.
This mandate he said include but not limited to the Rules of Procedure of the Sixth Legislature, which was deferred from their Inaugural session.
Others, he said, are the Strategic Plan of the Sixth Legislature, and The Work Plan of the year 2024.
The Rules of Procedure, he said, serves as a guide and direction for the parliament in checking procedural deficiencies.
He added that the Strategic Plan, on the other hand, serves as a crucial and indispensable tool in ensuring that the programs and activities of the parliament are directly linked with the overall strategic institutional objectives of ECOWAS, while the Work Plan sets the agenda for the engagements of the year.
The ceremony was attended by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, the Emir Karaye, Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar II and Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim.
