Speaker of the ECOWAS parliament urged Nigeria to sign the free trade agreement.

Punarimam Fehintola

The speaker of the Ecowas parliament Moustapha Cisse lo has urged African leaders especially Nigeria which is yet to sign the African continental free trade agreement to sign, so as to further build a strong economic community for the sub-region.

The speaker made this statement during the opening of the second ordinary session of the Ecowas parliament in Abuja.

He explained that members of the ECOWAS Parliament who are  representatives of the thirteen countries in the sub region will be meeting at the committee level to discuss issues relating to development in the sub region and these includes migration, women, child trafficking and labour, demographic dividend, and Agriculture, 2019 budget of the community, the economy amongst others.

Cisse lo added that in 2019 two major countries Nigeria and Senegal will be having their general elections and so that maybe the reason for the low turnout of the Nigerian legislators who are expected to be committed to their campaigns.

He also said “these two elections are on the way the role of media is primordial to strengthening democracy in the regions”.

The Parliament this session is expected to consider and adopt the draft agenda and draft work program of the November 2018 ordinary session of the Parliament, standing and ad hoc committees, draft report of September 2018 extraordinary session, establishment of an ad hoc committee to consider the draft 2018 budget of the community and adoption of activities of the Parliament.