The Chairman Authority of Heads of States and Government of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has tasked Member States on consistent payment of financial commitment to ECOWAS.
This according to him will strengthen fight against several insecurity challenges facing the region.
The Chairman of ECOWAS made the call at the Conference centre of the State House, Abuja while declaring open the 65th ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government.
President Tinubu emphasised the place of substantial financial resources in tackling terrorism, banditry and violence extremism saying “strong political will is not enough to address the challenges.”
He said; “We are aware of the challenges including terrorist activities and violence extremism threatening to spread from sahel region to coastal states, especially those that witness challenges of unconstitutional change of government.
“I also acknowledge the financial challenges of our organisations difficult economic conditions and consistent payment of financial commitment to ECOWAS have contributed to the current clime to ensure ECOWAS has adequate resources for it programmes and activities.”
“I urge all member States to ensure full compliance to the protocol on the community level,” President Tinubu added.
The ECOWAS Chair affirmed that Nigeria under his leadership is committed to leading the example by remitting its collected levies to the organisation to boost economic activity of the region.
President Tinubu said; “We must continue to identify and develop partnership that promotes investment in key sectors and promote regional trading. Furthermore, we must invest in our infrastructure and cultivate a conducive business environment to empower our community to stimulate growth and build resilience against external shock.
“By the way, we resolved at the caucus meeting that details of outstandings by countries will be discussed by the ECOWAs secretariat.”
“I call on the President of ECOWAS to review and expedite conclusion of the second phase of the institutional reforms the Impact of reducing the organisations operational cost is that I further call on administration and finance committee and permanent representative committees to ensure vigilant,rigorous prudent and financial management of the resources”President Tinubu explained.
The Nigerian Leader called on ECOWAS member States to leverage the capability of the Nigeria Counter Terrorism Centre NCTC, stressing that member States must make extra commitment in providing resources towards stabilising the region.
President Tinubu further said that the Nigerian government has decided to declare the NCTC as a regional centre to enable all ECOWAS member States benefit from capacity building and other related opportunities .
He said; “Member states must make extra commitment on providing resources for stabilising the region. To this end, I urge ECOWAS to leverage the capability of the Nigeria Counter Terrorism center, which is widely acknowledged as one of the best on the Continent.
“The Nigerian government has decided to declare the NCTC as a regional centre to enable all ECOWAS member States benefit from capacity building and other related opportunities for ECOWAS.”
“I urge you to visit the centre before your departure and access first hand the facility and the capabilities,” the Nigerian leader added.