THE Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has advised ECOWAS Heads of State and Government to restrain Morocco from joining ECOWAS bloc.
President of the association, Mr Frank Jacob, made appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
Jacob said the appeal became necessary following the discussion of Morocco’s membership at the just concluded 52nd ECOWAS Heads of State and Government summit in Abuja.
He said that Morocco’s acceptance to the bloc would have negative effects on member countries’ manufacturing sector.
Jacob said that allowing Morocco to join the union would be completely disastrous for indigenous manufacturers because Morocco had signed various agreements of free trade with the European Union (EU).
NAN reports that Morocco and the EU have signed many bilateral agreements since 2000, including the Euro-Mediterranean free trade area agreement.
The historic partnership between the EU and Morocco, underpinned by a number of political and economic agreements, has given Morocco a new momentum for its modernisation and democratic transition process.
Jacob urged the Federal Government to ensure Morocco’s effort failed because the EU had been eager to penetrate the West Africa market over the years and had not been successful.
“Allowing Morocco to become a member of the bloc will automatically consent to EU’s effort through the back door.
“It is no news that Morocco has an economic partnership agreement with the EU which will make Nigeria and other member countries destination for EU products if allowed to join the bloc,” he said.
He said that it was not proper for Morocco, a country in North Africa, to want to be a member of West African union.
“This idea of Morocco wanting to be a member of our bloc defies logic.
“Even the manufacturing sector of our beloved country, which is struggling due to challenges, will be seriously affected.
“Many companies will be shut down due to competitions leading to job losses and rise in unrest in the society,’’ he said.”
The 52nd ECOWAS Heads of State and Government summit opened in Abuja on Saturday as leaders discuss Morocco’s membership of the bloc and the security situation in Guinea Bissau.
Morocco had made its request to be a member of ECOWAS, while Tunisia requested to be an observer country.
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The 51st Ordinary Session held in Monrovia in June agreed in principle to Morocco’s membership of the sub-regional bloc and directed the commission to consider the implications of the country’s membership.
Morocco was, however, not invited for the 52nd summit.
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