The Second Extra Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament has opened virtually with Speaker, Honourable Sidi Tunis expressing readiness of Parliament to discuss referrals from the ECOWAS Commission reflecting the views and interest of citizens across Member States.
The Speaker of the 5th Legislature of the Parliament, Hon. Sidie Tunis, who gave the indication in his opening address said that this particular session is not only extra ordinary in name, but even in conduct, noting that the agenda of the extra ordinary session is essentially to consider some important referrals from the ECOWAS Commission as it has to do with the implementation of the ECOWAS Protocol on Community Levy among others.
Tunis said, “To consider these important referrals from the ECOWAS Commission, relevant Standing Committees would work assiduously to ensure that the views of the people are reflected in the decisions taken;
“As usual, the Commissioners and technocrats from the relevant directorate of the ECOWAS Commission are at hand to assist the Committees with relevant input on the subject matters” Tunis said.
He continued, “I am optimistic that we will do our best to represent the people and give them a voice. As Members of Parliament, we have sworn to represent the people of the sub-region and to contribute towards improving their standard of living;
“We are going to continue to strive to do so, even with the limitations imposed on us by the prevailing situation” Speaker Tunis added.
Similarly, Tunis in his opening remark, expresses concern on the spread of COVID-19 pandemic across Member States.
He said, “The ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic have continued to afflict people globally; Africa and our sub-region inclusive. The rate of infection has continued to be on the rise especially in the United State of America, most of Latin America and India;
“Here in Africa and especially in West Africa, figures have continued to rise, as at 16th July, 2020, the continent recorded a total infection rate of 643,887. In addiction, it recorded 332,888 recoveries and 13,982 deaths;
“In West Africa, figures for the same day indicated that total confirmed cases stood at 100,900. Total recoveries were 61,326 and total deaths were 1,642. These figures appear gloomy and disturbing for us, especially since we operate our economies based on daily earning”.
Continuing, Speaker Tunis added “Consequently, measures put in place, specifically the lockdown to limit the free spread of the virus were unsustainable, as our people can simply not bear the burden of perpetual lockdown of economic activities with their attendant effects on their daily subsistence.
“The picture of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is not entirely gloomy, admittedly, infection rates are growing daily and deaths are still being recorded from complication associated with the virus, furthermore, the world is yet to find neither a cure nor a vaccine for the virus;
“While we continue to appreciate our medical practitioners, we should continue to observe all the health protocols put in place, notable; regular washing of hands, use of hand sanitisers, observing social distancing, as well as limiting unnecessary movements;
“To all families that lost loved ones as a result of the pandemic, I wish to use this medium to convey to your our condolences and pray for the souls of all victims. May you all have the fortitude to bear the loses. May we see an immediate end to the current pandemic, so that together we shall achieve a West Africa of our dreams” Tunis concluded.
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