The Federal Governmnet has approved $6 million (about N930
million) to build a new office for the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Ike
Ekweremadu, speaker, ECOWAS Parliament, has said this on Monday.

Addressing the second ordinary session of the parliament in
Abuja, Monday Ekweremadu said the Federal Government had already paid the money
into the account of the ECOWAS Parliament.

“We have notified the President of the Commission of the
release of the sum as well as the intention of the parliament to apply it to
the purpose for which it was secured.

“Tender processes and drawings are ongoing.

“Since we have the money intact, I see no reason why we
should not complete the building project in a specific period,’’ he said.

Ekweremadu who expressed gratitude to the federal
government, also said that other financial provisions were being made to
renovate the current building in Abuja currently occupied by the parliament.
The speaker said the need for renovation followed concerns expressed by the
members over the state of the building.

He said the financial provision was included in the 2012
budget of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), adding that work would begin
immediately after the session and would last for a year. “You would recall that
we have variously expressed concerns over the state of infrastructure we met in
this complex.

“We have faced the challenges of leaking roof,
non-serviceable elevators, lack of offices for the members of parliament and
some members of staff, and unsuitable parliamentary auditoriums and committee
rooms, to name a few.

“I therefore approached the President of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr Goodluck Jonathan (GCFR), as well as
other relevant Nigerian authorities such as the presiding officers of the National
Assembly, over this matter. “A financial provision was therefore made for
infrastructural rehabilitation of this parliamentary complex in the 2012 budget
of the Ministry for the Federal Capital Territory.

“I am therefore happy to inform you that a contract has
already been awarded for the total rehabilitation of the parliamentary
building.

“The contract covers the full reroofing of the complex,
reconfiguration of the plenary auditorium and the interpreters’ booths to meet
the taste and needs of a modern day legislature, provision of brand new
elevators, among others.

“Work will commence immediately we are done with this
session and will last for about one year.”

On the enhancement of powers, Ekweremadu expressed delight
at the progress made and urged members to use their positions to reach out to
relevant government organs in achieving the aim.

He reiterated that the enhancement of powers of the
parliament would complement efforts of national parliaments of member states
rather than compete with them.

“ I expect us to reach out to all ECOWAS institutions and
organs, visit our Heads of State and Government, especially the Chairman of the
Authority of Heads of State and Government, His Excellency, President Alassane
Ouattara of Cote d’Ivorie and the Chairman of the African Union, His
Excellency, President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic.

“We must take our advocacy to regional elder statesmen,
founding fathers of ECOWAS, and influential voices in the sub-region. We will
also partner with the press to drive our message home.”

Amb. Kadre Ouedraogo, President, ECOWAS Commission, received
the draft supplementary Act on the enhancement of the powers of the ECOWAS
Parliament in August.

The document is expected to be communicated to the authority
of Heads of State and Government and other relevant organs of ECOWAS.

The session is expected to consider and adopt the Draft
Report on the 2013 Budget and also adopt the Draft Reports of the first
Ordinary session of May 2012.