The President of ECOWAS Commission, Kadré Ouédraogo, has appealed to member states to be consistent in the implementation of the Community Levy Protocol and Mechanisms.
Ouédraogo made the appeal on Monday in Accra, Ghana at the 15th meeting of ECOWAS Administration and Finance Committee.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Commission’s spokesman, Mr Sunny Ugoh, on yesterday in Abuja.
The President of ECOWAS Commission, Kadré Ouédraogo, has appealed to member states to be consistent in the implementation of the Community Levy Protocol and Mechanisms.
Ouédraogo made the appeal on Monday in Accra, Ghana at the 15th meeting of ECOWAS Administration and Finance Committee.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Commission’s spokesman, Mr Sunny Ugoh, on yesterday in Abuja.
The statement said Ouedraogo's appeal became necessary because the regional organisation needed the requisite funds to meet its financial obligations.
The president said that the institution was confronted with six main challenges, including the expansion of its operations which was confronted by severe problems of funding from the community levy.
“Introduced in 1996 and operational four years later, the 0.5 per cent levy on goods imported into the region from third world countries is to enable the community to fund its programmes.
“This would serve as a replacement for the previous regime of assessed dues,’’ the statement stated.
Ouédraogo, who was represented by Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Khadi Saccoh, said another challenge was the re-organisation of ECOWAS’ programmes to accommodate six new commissioners and regional security.
There was also the coordination of negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union to enhance efficiency and ensure better use of the resources of the community, it added.
“It would enhance efficiency and ensure better use of the resources of the community,’’ the statement added.
It said the 2014 mid-year review by the committee was of special significance, being the first since the recent change in the chairmanship of the organisation.
Other changes included the expansion to a 15-member commission and appointment of new judges to the Community Court of Justice, it added.
It also included changes in the leadership of the community’s health organisation and the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).
He assured the community of the management’s determination to improve efficiency, eliminate wastes and ensure the efficient utilisation of community resources.
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