ECOWAS Parliament’s Decision Now Binding On Sub-region – Speaker
Moustapha Cisse Lo
Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Moustapha Cisse Lo, has said the views of the parliament was now binding, compulsory and will be taken into consideration by the sub-region.
This followed the adoption of the Supplement Act on the Enhancement of Powers of the ECOWAS legislature.
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Cisse Lo confirmed that the adopted act, in addition to granting more privileges to the organ, ensures its participation in the meetings of the ECOWAS security council.
Speaking yesterday at the opening of the first extraordinary session of the parliament, the speaker, however, emphasised that the parliament’s views and opinion on the budget of the institution is not binding on the Council of Ministers.
Addressing the rigorousness of the new oversight functions of the legislature, the speaker urged the parliamentarians to work harder to implement the act for the people of the community who they now truly represent.
The extraordinary session, he added, will review the role the parliament will play with regards to the implementation of the act.
“There is a legal affairs committee that will bring out the issues, so that we will be able to delegate validly on the nitty-gritties. I have requested that the internal regulations of the parliament should be reworked, so that the budgetary session could take into consideration the prerequisites, so that we can be able to work on the details of the budget”, Cisse Lo stated.
Also speaking at the event, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Marcel de Souza, represented by the vice president, Edward Singhatey, described the adoption of the act as a great achievement for the region.
Singhatey said the act gives the parliament oversight responsibilities in some matters of the region, including involvement in human rights issues, amendment of protocols and regulations of the community, as well as play an advisory role on budget issues of the sub region.
The parliament established under the ECOWAS Revised Treaty of 1993 is also known as the Community Parliament. It is a forum for dialogue, consultation and consensus for representatives of the people of West Africa with the aim of promoting integration.
The Protocol relating to the parliament was signed in Abuja on August 6, 1994 and entered into force on March 14, 2002. It provides for the structure, composition, competence and other matters relating to the parliament.
The parliament is empowered to consider issues concerning human rights and fundamental freedoms of citizens; interconnection of energy networks; interconnection of communication links between Member States; interconnection of telecommunications systems; increased cooperation in the area of radio, television and other intra and inter-community media links; as well as development of national communication systems.
The parliament may also be consulted on matters relating to public health policies for the community; common educational policy through harmonisation of existing systems and specialisation of existing universities; adjustment of education within the community to international standards; youth and sports; scientific and technological research and community policy on environment.
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