Mark Calls For Vibrant ECOWAS Parliament

President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has called for a stronger and vibrant Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS) parliament as a panacea to the lingering challenges militating against the mutual co-existence among  members State.

Senator Mark made this call while hosting ECOWAS Parliamentarians to a dinner in his official residence in Abuja Wednesday.

The president of the Senate said the objectives for instituting the legislative body is to provide a platform whereby member States can address issues confronting them.

His words”We should exploit our unity to battle our challenges, ECOWAS parliaments must have the power to enforce our resolutions and get teeth to bite. We need to exchange views, ideas and talk to each other to know exactly where our problems lie.

“ECOWAS parliament has come to stay like other parliamentary bodies. We must harness its purpose to better the lots of our member States if we are to make progress”.

He also advised that movement within ECOWAS must be accessible, easy and acceptable to members, “The difficulties faced by citizens during movement within the ECOWAS require urgent attention. It must be looked into and addressed appropriately. We should make it more easy and accessible in order to enhance trade and political relationship among States”.

Earlier, the Speaker, ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon.Mahammed Usman commended the President of the Senate for his commitment towards a stronger ECOWAS Parliament which he affirmed has helped the union in the progresses recorded so far.

He said the parliamentarians are ready to liaise with other legislative bodies, both local and international in its drive towards stability adding that adequate interaction remains the yardstick for legislature performance.

Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi (Abuja)