As the two-day 94th Ordinary Session Of ECOWAS Council Of Ministers ended in Abuja on Friday, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman, ECOWAS Council of Ministers, has tasked member states to ensure the Implementation of various resolutions reached during session.
The Minister, whose two years tenure ended with the close of 94th Ordinary Session stated this in his closing remarks at the end of the session on Friday night in Abuja.
The two-day meeting brought together ambassadors, permanent representatives, ECOWAS commissioners, heads of institutions, resident representatives, among others, to discuss various subregion issues including border security, unity, non-tariff barriers and economic exchange across the ECOWAS region among others.
The minister stressed that, through member states continued collaboration and shared commitment, the council had set a clear and promising course towards achieving a more unified and prosperous west Africa subregion.
“The conclusion reached during this meeting will no doubt contribute to the actualisation of the regional integration agenda of ECOWAS.
“It remains essential that we encourage our respective governments to faithfully implement the decisions we have adopted and to actively support the recommendations emerging from our discussions.
“Of course, pending approval of the Authority of Heads of State and Government on matters that require such,” he said.
According to him, the resolutions reached are a clear demonstration of the council members’ collective resolve to address the pressing challenges confronting the ECOWAS bloc.
“I convey my profound gratitude for your commitment, invaluable perspectives and contributions to our deliberations over challenges that bear direct impact on the well-being of our citizens and long-term quality of our member states.
“This has endeared renowned scholars of trade in Africa to describe the continent’s regional economic communities as uncelebrated heroes in efforts to establish and utilise common arrangements for cross-border trade and related regional initiatives,” the minister stressed.
Amb. Tuggar also commended the ECOWAS Commission for preparing the comprehensive working documents which guided and enriched the council’s deliberations resulting in positive outcomes that emerged from the session.
“I am confident that the high standard demonstrated during this session will continue to define our future interactions.
“Let me sincerely appreciate each one of you for your cooperation and support to me over the last two years as the chair of this council.
“This may be my last council session as chair of this council. Over the last two years, I have enjoyed a very cordial working relationship with each one of you.
"As the agenda of the Summit we endorsed indicated the election of a new Chair of Authority, this may be my last Council Session as the Chair of this Council. Over the last two years l enjoyed very cordial working relationship with each one of you.
"I remain very grateful for your unalloyed support for the successes we recorded this far. I hope the same cooperation will be extended to whomever among us is taking over the leadership of this Council. it is my honour to declare the 97th Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers officially closed," the stated.