Abuja — THE President of the Senate, Senator David Mark had called for the free movement of persons and goods throughout Africa.

Receiving visiting Parliamentarians from Namibia, Senator Mark said the removal of all barriers within the continent would facilitate trade and improve cooperation among the countries of the continent.

The Namibian delegation led by Hon. Lucia Basson was led to the Senate President by Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport who used the occasion to praise the Senate President for his gender sensitivity.

"We must work towards eliminating Visa problems within our continent. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has started it and it must spread round Africa so that travelling within Africa is made easier," Senator Mark said.

According to him, "European countries that broke down national barriers are reaping the benefit as shown by stronger economies".

The Senate majority leader Senator Teslim Folarin who was also present at the occasion called for exchange programmes among African parliaments in order to improve legislation and democracy in the continent.

Senator Saraki in her remarks said that Nigeria is gearing towards recognizing the role of women in governance.

She particularly lauded the Senate President for the leadership positions given to the women in Senate Committees.

In her remarks, Basson called for stronger unity among African countries and charged elected public officers not to abandon their promises to the electorate.