By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
President of ECOWAS Commission Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, and management of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development today in Abuja the Federal Capital of Nigeria had a meeting to fine-tune and strengthen mutual ties in the sub-region.
The meeting which held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja is also to foster collaboration, expand cooperation and explore areas of mutual interest for the prosperity of the people in the ECOWAS region.
The EBID President, Dr. George Agyekum Nana Donkor stated that aim of the his visit was to further assure the new ECOWAS leader of the support of the ECOWAS Bank, adding that it’s inauguration came at a time when the sub- region was facing numerous economic and security challenges but was optimistic that given the diplomatic antecedent of the President the sub-region would soon overcome these challenges.
Donkor noted that although the EBID was formed in 1975 it started operations in 1979 with a mission to support the developmental projects and programmes of Member States.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Touray appreciated the EBID management for their visit and support for the new administration and disclosed that the new mantra “ECOWAS of the People” was created to deliver shared prosperity for the people of the sub-region.
He promised that it will be achieved through the four core strategies of the new ECOWAS Commission namely poverty reduction, economic integration, good governance and due process.
He added that to achieve these strategies, there is a need to build deep collaboration and strong institutions with the right resources and processes.
He then solicited the support of EBID to make the objectives a reality during his tenure.
Meanwhile the Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Madame Damtien Tchinchibidja also welcomed the EBID management and reiterated the commitment of the Commission with the Bank.
The EBID President assured that the bank will focus on the recent achievements in terms of projects and operations across Member States.
The two ECOWAS bodies also discussed other issues bordering on mutual interest such as payment of capital subscription by Member States, interest subsidy funds, status of cyber security grant, status of EU Pillar Implementation, Joint Resource Mobilization Strategy, Revitalization of the Permanent Committee for Studies and Research and Management of ECOWAS Staff Pension Funds.
