Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, says terrorism, banditry, piracy, human trafficking, human rights abuses, the impact of climate change, and bad governance have constituted serious impediments to the peace, security, and economic development of the West African sub-region.
Speaking at the opening of the 2024 first ordinary session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, Abbas said these challenges have placed greater responsibility on the ECOWAS Parliament to continue to carry out its legislative functions with increased vigour, passion, and commitment.
He says despite the myriads of challenges confronting the sub-region, the ECOWAS Parliament has remained strong, resolute, and committed to promoting the ideals of democratic governance, economic integration, peace and security.
According to him, since its establishment by the ECOWAS Treaty in 1975, the ECOWAS Parliament has contributed immensely to strengthening representative democracy, promoting and defending human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, transparency, accountability and good governance in the sub-region.
He said the ECOWAS parliament, “has also been actively involved in promoting peace, security and stability.
While I feel greatly delighted to commend the ECOWAS Parliament for these invaluable contributions, we must also acknowledge that these multifaceted challenges are still confronting the sub-region in new and complex dimensions.
