News:
November 29, 2019
Mr. Orlando Pereira, fourth Deputy Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament has directed the bureau to take a decision on whether an ad hoc or a standing committee to look into the border closure by Nigeria since it has become a very delicate issue and community lawmakers have expressed concerns.
Lawmakers continue to lament over the closure of the Nigeria border despite explanations given by Nigerian lawmakers at the sub-regional community Parliament, and the situation compelled Mr. Orlando Pereira Dias, who presided over proceedings on Thursday 28th of November 2019 when Benin and Sierra Leone presented the last of country reports with Benin re-echoing issues of the border closure to issue the directive.
Senator Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi from Nigeria expressed worry over the discussion and dimension the border closure has taken and advice that, it should not be said that the Community Parliament just talked about it and it ended there.
“The issue is sensitive and delicate, we should have solutions to this issue. Again this border closure issue came up at the Administration and Finance Committee (AFC) of ECOWAS on Wednesday”.
He further added during question time that if it is agreeable with his colleagues, it should be proposed that the Speaker and the Bureau convene the relevant committee on Trade, Custom and Free Movement or an Ad hoc committee to tackle issues on the border closure.
And further suggested that the Nigerian, Benin and Niger borders should be visited to get the right perspective on the issue.
“We can continue to live peacefully as brothers and sisters so that we do not go against the purpose for setting up ECOWAS”, he added.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com/Abuja