ECOWAS Experts Review Texts On Mining, Petroleum Sectors
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
Experts on National Mining and Hydrocarbons from ECOWAS Member States at a 2 day joint meeting in Dakar, Senegal have reviewed some community texts relating to petroleum and mining sectors.
The Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization, ECOWAS Commission, Mr Sédiko Douka, in his welcome address, highlighted that the Community Texts to be reviewed had been developed with the objective of harmonizing and coordinating Member States’ policies and programmes in the fields of Energy and Natural resources as enjoined by Article 28 and 31 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty.
Commissioner Douka indicated that the Texts will contribute to a well-organized, minimally varied, optimally developed and mainstreamed geo-extractives sector in general, and an integrated, effective and efficient energy sector.
Secretary General of the Ministry of Mines and Geology, of the Republic of Senegal, Mr Ibrahima Gueye, who represented the Minister of Mines and Geology and the Minister of Petroleum and Energy expressed gratitude to the ECOWAS Commission for choosing Senegal to host the regional meeting.
He pledged full commitment to supporting regional actions for the development of the geo-extractive sector in the region.
“ECOWAS region is richly endowed with mining and petroleum resources, often world class, but still remains poor of its natural resources”, he said. Adding that their rational and efficient exploitation is therefore the major lever to get the best out of these resources.
During the two-day meeting, the Experts reviewed Community texts such as Draft ECOWAS Regional Petroleum Code, Draft ECOWAS Model Regulation on Artisanal Mining and Small-scale Mining and its Implementation Strategy, Draft ECOWAS Charter on Gender Mainstreaming in the Geo-extractives Sector, and Draft Regional Study Report on ECOWAS Strategic Minerals Feedstocks and Inputs Development Strategy.
The Experts also reviewed the Memorandum on the status of implementation of ECOWAS Directive on harmonized automotive fuels specifications, the Memorandum on the implementation of the West African Gas Pipeline Extension Project (WAGPEP) and the synergy developed with the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project (NMGP).
After deliberations, the Experts recommended for consideration and adoption of a Joint Meeting of ECOWAS Ministers in Charge of Mining and Hydrocarbons, to held in Dakar, Senegal.
