The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Memounatou Ibrahima, has urged member states to increase funding for the institution to address the region’s multifaceted challenges. Ibrahima made this call during a meeting of the Parliament’s Joint Committee on administration, budget, finance, public account, macroeconomic policy, and economic research in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
The region faces financial difficulties and security threats, necessitating increased funding for community projects and programs. The community budget is primarily funded by a 0.5% tax on goods from non-ECOWAS countries, but recent reports show weak resource mobilization.
Ibrahima emphasized the need for solidarity and responsibility among member states to build a prosperous and peaceful community environment. The meeting aimed to address the role of the ECOWAS Parliament in the community’s budgetary process and strengthen collaboration between ECOWAS institutions.
Other speakers, including the Vice President of the Ivorian National Assembly, Diawara Mamadou, and the Ivorian Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Mrs. Niali Kaba, highlighted the importance of parliament’s role in budget preparation and oversight. Rep. Benjamin Kalu, Chairman of the parliament’s Joint Committee, assured that parliament would ensure judicious and transparent use of funds through meaningful engagements with stakeholders.
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