Global economic downturn causing hardship to West African citizens ― Buhari

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2 years ago

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday observed that the global economic downturn has negatively affected countries in the West African subregion causing serious hardship to its citizens.

Speaking at the opening session of the 2022 Second Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, he, therefore, urged the legislature to consider its budget with diligence and bear in mind the various contributions the countries make in terms of levies.

The president commended the speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Dr Sidie Tunis, for what he said is the commitment and sacrifice he is making towards promoting regional integration and strengthening democracy and good governance in our sub-region.

Buhari noted the progress that has been made by the ECOWAS Parliament since the inception of the 5th Legislature, in March 2020.

He added: “Specifically, your contributions to the efficient and effective implementation of the objectives and policies of the Community, including the strengthening of representative democracy, have been outstanding.

“I must also commend you for the tremendous efforts you have invested in making the Parliament visible and relevant to the people of the ECOWAS region.

“I am aware that over the period of the tenure of this legislature, our people have begun to regard the Parliament as the true representative of their voice and a dependable ally. I, therefore, seize this opportunity to thank the Leadership and all Honourable Members for a job well done.

“As this second session of the ECOWAS Parliament will be expected to consider the community budget among others, let me emphasize that the global economic downturn has deeply affected the economies of our sub-region and resulted in dire economic hardships for the residents of the community.

“I, therefore, urge you to perform your sacred responsibility of considering the community budget with diligence, while bearing in mind the sacrifice of various countries in the payment of the community levy. I urge you to remain conscious of the many challenges besieging the region and be sensitive to the needs of the people.”

President Buhari reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to ECOWAS efforts, with the support of the nation’s partners to keep the region peaceful, secure and politically stable.

He noted that in this regard, Nigeria remains committed to supporting ECOWAS to restore democratic rule in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso.

While noting that some of the countries in the region including Nigeria, will be engaged in political activities in 2023, the President also expressed his commitment to bequeath a legacy of free, fair and credible polls to West Africa.

“We are convinced that the sustenance of democracy and the rule of law should remain the norm in this promising region.

“As you are aware, there will be multiple political activities in some ECOWAS member states, including Nigeria, where general elections are due to hold in February and March 2022.

“Let me seize this opportunity to reiterate my commitment to free, fair and transparent elections and smooth transitions. This is one legacy that I want my administration to bequeath, not only to Nigeria but to the region as a whole.

“At the regional level, Sierra Leone and Liberia are also preparing for elections. As in the past, Nigeria is ready to stand by any country in the region that is committed to organising free and fair elections.

“On the issue of election of Members of the ECOWAS Parliament by Direct Universal Suffrage, Mr Speaker will recall that I gave Nigeria’s assurance to support the process, provided it is conducted with minimum or even at no cost at all, to the community.

“Let me underscore that the ECOWAS Parliament can only fulfil its true mandate when it has a set of directly elected and dedicated members.

“I believe that a member of the ECOWAS Parliament, not drawn from serving members of Parliaments of Member States, would be a good step towards injecting our regional integration with new energy and initiative.”

The President described threats to peace and security, political instability and the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the subregion’s economies as well as the ongoing war in Ukraine as the biggest concerns facing the region.

He added: ‘‘It is on record that the region has not rested on its oars as we have always striven to evolve effective regional mechanisms to address these challenges.

“For example, at the height of the pandemic, Heads of State of ECOWAS appointed me as the ECOWAS champion on COVID-19.

“Working with three ministerial committees comprising member states’ ministers of health, finance and transportation, we developed an effective response by mitigating the effect of COVID-19 on our citizens.

“Our efforts yielded positive results as the ECOWAS region became one of the sub-regions least affected by the pandemic, in terms of mortality rate.”

President Buhari noted that in spite of several challenges, the regional bloc “has continued to wax stronger as a community and has remained a strong and resilient and shining example of regional integration and solidarity.”

He lauded the organisation for evolving in many aspects, since its formation 47 years ago, saying: ‘‘We have recorded changes that have affected our demographic composition, as well as the social fabric of our population. We have seen our challenges increase in the face of growing aspirations and the expectations of our people.”

President Buhari assured the parliament that the ground-breaking ceremony of the ECOWAS Commission’s headquarters in Abuja to be constructed by the Government of the Peoples Republic of China will take place on December 5, 2022.

The President who explained that the desire to create an ECOWAS complex, housing the Commission, the Parliament and the Court all in one arena, led to the delay in the formal take-off of the project, told the Parliament that as a country that believes strongly in regional integration and cooperation, Nigeria will continue to support all ECOWAS institutions domiciled within the country.

“Our pledge to construct a new permanent headquarters for this Parliament remains as irrevocable and strong as ever,” he said.

President Buhari said he had hoped for the completion and formal commissioning of the project before leaving office in May 2023, however, the expansion of the project led to the delay.

The President expressed delight that the harmonization in drawings and other technicalities for the project has been concluded, clearing the way for the ground-breaking ceremony.

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