Legislators of the member states in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are gathering in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja as their regional parliament commenced the 2022 2nd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament. This year’s budget session on the ECOWAS Community Budget for 2023 is being held under the theme; ‘The Budget of Consolidation and Reforms’.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the budget will be focused on four strategic objectives: Enhanced Peace and Security, Deeper Regional Integration, Good Governance, and Inclusive and Sustained Development.
The Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Tunis said that Members of the Parliament have been tasked to ensure that the Budget is directed towards programs that address the needs, aspirations, and interests of the people they represent.
Last month, ECOWAS Parliament approved a budget of US$30,500,000 for 2023 at the 2022 Second Extraordinary Session. This approved budget will enable the ECOWAS Parliament to meet the necessary conditions for achieving its objectives through the financing of several activities.
The leader of the region’s most popular nation, President Buhari of Nigeria reminded Parliamentarians to allocate the budget according to the needs of citizens, while bearing in mind the sacrifice of various countries in the payment of Community Levies.
“For the founding generation of ECOWAS, the story was about building an Economic Community, where trade and economic development will flourish. For our generation, it is about pursuing prosperity and freedom by strengthening the unity of our existence. It is about delivering a peaceful region that flourishes in a secure and democratic environment,” said the Hon. Speaker Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis.
