Business
Tackle Piracy In Member States– ECOWAS Minister
The ECOWAS Council of Ministers has directed the Economic Community of West African States, Commission to urgently address the issue of piracy in member states.
The directive was given in a statement at the just-concluded 66th session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in Abuja.
The council urged the commission to convene an urgent meeting of the regional Chiefs of Defence Staff to holistically address the problem.
The directive followed complaints by some member states that the problem had adverse effects on their economy.
The council endorsed a proposal by the ministers responsible for security to address the security challenges in the region.
The proposal focused on the creation of a committee of chiefs of security services to address the challenges of cross-border security, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and terrorism.
The council agreed that such would strengthen the work of the Interpol and facilitate capacity building for the services.
It also approved the proposal by the ministers of security for the institution of a code of conduct for the armed forces and security services so as to promote best practices and respect for human rights of citizens.
In addition, the council confirmed the retention of the regional Interpol bureau in Abidjan.
The ministers recommended that the obstacles in the implementation of the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Establishment should be addressed through a specific programme to be led by a Head of State.
The council further appealed to member states to pay up their outstanding community levy before the next summit.
Reports said that the levy is used by the organisation to fund the activities of the ECOWAS Commission, community institutions and programmes.
Other reports were endorsed by the council including the report of the ministers of agriculture which contained the work plan for the sector for 2011.
These include the implementation of the Regional Agricultural Investment Programme and the establishment of a financial and institutional mechanism for the effective take-off of the Regional Agricultural Fund.
The report of the meeting of sectorial ministers also approved the creation of the Regional Animal Health Centre as a specialised ECOWAS centre for animal health, as well as a strategic plan for the transformation of the cattle, meat and dairy sectors.
The policy seeks to ensure that the region’s vast mineral resources are harnessed to promote sustainable economic growth and integrated development.
During the meeting, the council considered the interim report of Amb. James Victor Gbeho, the President of the commission, which highlighted the progress with regional development and integration programmes as well as the challenges confronting the organisation.
The ministers also endorsed the draft agenda for the next summit.