NAN-H-82
ECOWAS
By Temitope Ponle
Abuja, Dec. 5, 2016 (NAN) Chairperson of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Governments, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has said that ECOWAS needs to cut administration costs and focus on programmes which aim to enhance regional development.
Sirleaf, who is also the Liberian President, said this while addressing members of the ECOWAS Parliament on Monday in Abuja.
According to her, implementing programmes and projects will facilitate the ECOWAS Vision 2020.
“We are changing times and changing global conditions and one of the things we have to do is to assess where we are in meeting our goals.
“What are some of the challenges that we have to overcome to ensure that those goals continue to be realised?
“We also look at the issue of efficiency in the allocation of resources.
“We think some things can be done to ensure that, in keeping with our own statutory requirement, a higher percentage of resources of the ECOWAS is directed to programmes and projects rather administrative matters.
“What it means is that we must look at how we can cut some costs, make sure that what we reach down to the people and make a difference in their lives and welfare.
“This is so that ECOWAS for them becomes an important institution that helps to change the way they live,” she said.
The ECOWAS chairperson also said that some structural changes might be made in the commission “to ensure more efficiency in the quality of the delivery of service”.
She commended the efforts made by ECOWAS institutions to promote economic integration in the region.
Sirleaf also visited the ECOWAS Commission to meet with its president, Mr Marcel de Souza.
In her address, Sirleaf said that investing more in community projects and programmes would facilitate external sources of financing.
“The wealth of ECOWAS comes largely from the community levy imposed on all member states.
“There are external sources of resource but in minimal amount.
“If we can expand our programmes and projects, those are what will attract external support and that is something we ought to look at,” she said.
She also said that the regional bloc would achieve financial stability when member states fully pay their community levy.
“All of our commitment is to go out there and make sure that resources are mobilised so that the work of the commission can go on,” Sirleaf said.
She said that a report on the outcome of her visit would be presented at the meeting of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Governments on Dec. 17. (NAN)
TOP/HAS/AMY
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Edited By Hajia Sani/Abdullahi Yusuf