Ecowas leaders meet on statutory positions in the commission

Ecowas leaders meet on statutory positions in the commission
by Rebecca Mu’azu and Lawan Hamidu, Abuja

The Extra-Ordinary Summit of Ecowas leaders to discuss the allocation of statutory positions within the regional organization and Community institutions, has ended in Abuja, Nigeria with the endorsement of recommendations on the allocation of statutory positions in the commission.

The Summit however, disagreed on the position of the President of the Commission.

Proceedings

Presided over by Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan, who also chairs the Authority of Heads of State and Government.

The Summit considered the report and recommendations of the Ad-hoc Committee of Heads of State and Government, which met in Freetown, Sierra Leone, as part of effort to engender greater inclusiveness, effectiveness, equity and accountability within the framework of the restructuring of Ecowas institutions and agencies.

At the end of the meeting, the Ecowas Heads of State endorsed the recommendations of the committee, except the position of the President.

Ecowas Commission President, Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, said the position of the president was still being contended between Burkina Faso and Benin Republics but would be resolved during a talk between the leaders of both countries and the Chair of the Heads of State and Government.

“The Heads of State expected that the coming review of the commission by a foreign management company will possibly create one or two positions of the Commission, in which case, some of the countries that have indicated their displeasure for not being included in the present list will be considered for those extra posts”.

Contention

Meanwhile, some countries were not allocated any position and might have shown some displeasure. Consequently, the president of the Commission said a review of the structure of the Commission was in view and could give room for the creation of more positions.

A time line of two months has been given to resolve the contention on the issue of the president, while the countries would be asked to present three names of candidates for the position for screening.

Of the positions announced, the Post of the Vice President went to Liberia, Commissioner, Micro Economic Policy went to Mali, Political Affairs, Peace and Security came to Nigeria, Agric, Environment and Water Resources went to Togo, Administration and Finance went to Sierra Leone, Customs, Trade and Free Movement went to Niger, Infrastructure went to the Gambia, while Senegal will continue to hold the position of the Commissioner for Human Development and Gender.

At the meeting, eight heads of state and Government were in attendance.

They are those of Senegal, Togo, Benin, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Niger and Nigeria.

Hajia Sani