New York – Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has called on the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission to make regional unity and integration central to its efforts to improve the lives of people across West Africa.
Shettima made the call on Friday in New York, United States, during a meeting with a delegation from the ECOWAS Commission led by its newly appointed President, General Birame Diop (rtd), on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Nigerian Vice President said stronger cooperation among member states would be necessary to advance economic development and improve livelihoods across the sub region.
He urged the new leadership to build stronger relationships between West African countries while developing programmes and policies capable of producing tangible benefits for citizens and businesses.
According to Shettima, ECOWAS should also strengthen its engagement with emerging regional blocs, particularly the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), as part of efforts to maintain dialogue and cooperation across West Africa.
“Beyond your administrative duties, your leadership of the Commission must make deliberate efforts to build bridges of friendship across the sub-region. ECOWAS should be at the forefront of our engagement with emerging blocs in the area, such as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).”
Shettima also called on the ECOWAS Commission to give greater attention to private sector involvement in the implementation of the Lagos Abidjan Highway project.
The highway project is designed to improve road connectivity along the West African coast, linking major economic centres and supporting the movement of people, goods and services between countries in the region.
The Vice President said private sector participation should be treated as an important component of efforts to deliver the project and strengthen regional economic integration.
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