By Princess-Ekwi Ajide, Abuja
In the bid to grow businesses, trade and investment in the African continent, the ECOWAS Parliament and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) have mapped out strategies to collaborate on how the two regional legislative bodies can initiate active framework to promote integration, through free movement of people.
This development came to the fore, when the Speaker of the EALA, Hon Ntakirutimana Joseph paid a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the ECOWAS parliament, Hon. Sidie Tunis in Abuja as both sides agree they are working out modalities and legislative actions to promote integration.
Addressing the press after a closed door meeting, Hon Joseph noted that ECOWAS and EALA have been working closely together, to build an Africa where there will be free movement and free business, saying that Africa is one and the two regions need to work together to achieve the dream.
He noted that the challenges of economic crises and political problems which his country and some other member countries are passing through can be surmounted through mediation and with the support of ECOWAS through exchange of ideas and knowledge.
A member of the Tanzanian parliament, Dr. Mlozi Shogo, who accompanied Dr. Joseph, on the visit, used the opportunity to solicit the support of the ECOWAS Parliament for the candidature of Dr. Tulia Ackson, the Speaker of the Tanzanian Parliament, a female lawyer, described as an academia and politician that possesses profound credibility to lead the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, as speaker.
The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Tunis emphasied that free movement, is an integral part of their collaboration as they represent the people of Africa, and as such, should come up with the resolutions that can enhance free movement of people from West Africa to East Africa and vice versa.
Hon. Tunis, later accompanied his guest to the ECOWAS Commission, where they strengthened deliberations with the President of the commission, Dr. Omar Touray.
