‘ECOWAS implements 46% people-oriented schemes’
The heads of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) National Offices in member states have disclosed that 46 percent of their programmes is dedicated to the people.
They also said that the vision 2020 of the community, which gives more priority to the people than the states, has commenced.
Speaking at ECOWAS National Offices in Lagos, Benedict Roberts, ECOWAS, Head, National Office Liberia and Chairman of the meeting affirmed that enhancing community participation was key to the organisation.
The meeting which opened today aims to discuss the implementation arrangements of the Community Strategic Framework (CSF) and deliberate on the key priorities of the CSF required for developing the annual work plans of the Commission.
The delegates will also agree on the modalities for financing the CSF and the modalities of reaching out to Community Citizens through a Communication Plan, among others.
Roberts stated that visibility and citizens participation will give the people in the 15 members countries a sense of belonging and transparency.
According to Roberts: “Forty six percent of all our programmes is meant for the people. Infrastructural development is also key to us and it is among our five goals in ECOWAS. The implementation of the CSF lies squarely with the National Offices as they are the gateway for the implementation of ECOWAS activities in Member States.
“I encouraged the delegates to take full ownership of the implementation process of the CSF to ensure its success in all Member States.
On his part, Head of ECOWAS National Office, Nigeria, Manaja Tula Isa, said that that heads should take advantage of their stay in Lagos to visit tourist areas in the beautiful city.
The CSF was adopted by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in December 2015 and is already being implemented; as the 2016 Community Budget was based on the CSF.
All ECOWAS Institutions/Agencies are expected to draw their programmes from this framework. The CSF will ensure congruence of purpose and consistency across programmes and across all Institutions/Agencies.
