The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou has lamented the state of insecurity in the sub-region noting that “ECOWAS is still confronted with terrorism and its spill-over effect to our coastal states” and welcomes “the Accra Initiative as well as other efforts that are being used by member states to fight this menace”.
While extending his condolences to Nigeria over the terrorist act that took place at a Church in Ondo State, Nigeria, Kassi Brou stated, “my sincere condolences to the good people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, especially the Executive Governor of Ondo State for the recent killing in cold blood of worshippers at Saint Francis Catholic Church in Owo Ondo State. We equally express our condolences to families of our Member States whose loved ones have fallen victims to terrorist activities and banditry”.
The ECOWAS President stated this while delivering a solidarity message at the 2022 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament holding from June 9 – July 2, at the ECOWAS Parliament building in Abuja.
Represented by the Vice President of the Commission, Mrs. Finda Koroma, the President also lauded “His Excellency, President Muhammad Buhari, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for his unwavering support to the ECOWAS Community Institutions, especially the ECOWAS Parliament, which is a testament of his regional commitment to ECOWAS integration”.
“Let me assure you of our unwavering support to the work of the ECOWAS Parliament and our commitment to working very closely with you to ensure that we fulfill the mandate of the ECOWAS People through our various work programmes”, he asserted.
Stressing further on the challenges facing the sub-region, he said: “As you all know, despite all the progress Member States are making in the running of their respective countries, our region continues to face numerous challenges of security, humanitarian issues, political and economic affairs”.
On the health sector, Kassi Brou stated, “with the fourth wave of the COVID-19 slowing fading away, the outbreak has highlighted the intrinsic weaknesses in our health care infrastructure especially in the area of vaccine manufacturing and our preparedness to fight epidemics and pandemics which have engulfed our citizens”.
“On the political front, the ECOWAS Commission have continued to engage with military governments in Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali to ensure transition to democratic rule within the time frame that is been prescribed by the Authority of Heads of State and Governments”.
Recognizing the effort of the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Sidie Tunis, the ECOWAS Commission President said: “We would wish to congratulate you and through you to the dynamic Members of the ECOWAS Parliament who have worked tirelessly during several of your sessions both in Abuja and at your delocalize sessions in member states, to discuss burning issues in our region that would improve the functioning of the regional integration agenda that is being undertaken by ECOWAS Community Institutions, especially the economic, social and humanitarian programmes”.
“We have noted with keen interest that you have held sessions on the Joint Committee on Public Accounts/Administration, Finance, Budget and Macroeconomic Policies, Trade, Customs and Free Movements and the Vision 2050 process.
All of these have contributed to improvements in our work processes and the impact of our activities and programmes on the ECOWAS People”.
“I would like to congratulate you Mr.
Speaker and Honourable Members at the opening of the First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in 2022. This is the house of the ECOWAS of people and we are grateful for your unwavering support to the work of the ECOWAS Community Institutions.
I also want to welcome most wholeheartedly the new members of parliament from Republic of Gambia who has been sworn in today.
