The ECOWAS Parliament seated for it virtual 2020 Second Ordinary Session is set to consider the 2021 Community’s Budget.
Hon.
Sidie Tunis, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament in his opening remark disclosed
that this session, otherwise
known as the “Budget Session”, provides the opportunity, in accordance with
provisions of the Supplementary Act, for Parliament to consider the Community’s
Budget which specifically is expected to ensure that the estimates are directed
towards programs that addresses the needs of the people.
Speaker Tunis said “I make specific reference to Article 17.2a, which states
that “after the consideration of the Budget by the Administration and Finance
Committee (AFC), the report of the AFC on the Budget shall be presented to
Parliament during the Parliamentary Budget Session;
“In
fulfillment of this statutory responsibility, we are expected to render
opinion, including where necessary, proposals for the amendment to the draft
Community Budget”.
Continuing,
he said, “It is pertinent for me to report that in November 2020, the Bureau of
Parliament, acting upon Article 25.B/3f/vii of the Supplementary Act Relating
to the Enhancement of the Powers of the ECOWAS Parliament, met in Cotonou,
Republic of Benin to consider and adopt the 2021 Budget of the ECOWAS
Parliament, which was formulated in accordance with the ECOWAS Financial
Regulations and Accounting Guidelines and Procedure. The
budget, as adopted by the Bureau, sought to strengthen economic and social development, reinforce security
and support democratic values in the ECOWAS sub-region as directed by the
Extraordinary Summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government held on 23rd
April 2020. It also focuses on high impact programs and projects that have
long-lasting effect that meets priority needs of the ECOWAS Member States and represents an increase
of UA 785,404 or 4.00% from
the approved Revised Budget UA 19,649,080 for 2020. He noted.
“Let us be
reminded in our consideration of the budget that we are now responding to the
worst global pandemic in a century. We live in an era of great uncertainty and
increasing risk. Overcoming these challenges in the interests of our fellow
citizens should be our major priority;
“It is also
not enough that the budget surmounts the immediate threats brought upon us by
COVID-19, it should also advance efforts to make progress on other fronts and
priorities which our region continues to value: democracy, rule of law, peace
and conflict resolution, the fight against terrorism, poverty reduction and
climate change, these are our core missions, and we must seek to deliver on
them” Tunis concluded.
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