Abuja — The ECOWAS ministers in charge of security have called on member states to recognise the INTERPOL passport and approve visa wavers for members. This was disclosed in a communiqué signed by the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Emmanuel Ojukwu, and read by the Minister of Police Affairs, Dr Yakubu Ibrahim Lame, at the end of a one-day joint meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Security which held in Abuja over the weekend.

They pledged to improve free movement of persons and goods within the ECOWAS sub-region to enhance integration and promote peace and unity among the states. The ministers urged member states to submit copies of their legislation on stolen vehicles to the technical sub-committee on harmonisation of legislation for analysis and recommendation. While stating that any officer found extorting money from individuals should be reported to appropriate authorities for deterrence, they advised ECOWAS to implement a pilot project on modernisation and inter-connectivity at the Nigeria-Benin-Togo-Ghana-Cote d'Ivoire borders. They also resolved that member states where ECOWAS passport is not in circulation should intensify efforts to make it available, adding that the commission should fast-track the adoption of community passport. "Member states should abolish residence permit in fulfillment of the decision reached by various heads of states and government.

ECOWAS and WAEMU should work together to adopt a unique visa for the region. "Security outfits should exhibit discipline and professionalism in the discharge of their duties to minimise corruption which hinders the free movement of people and goods along the borders," they said. The communiqué further encouraged member states to form joint law enforcement agencies to prevent extortion and corrupt practices at the borders and on international highways connecting the states. In attendance were ministers from the Republic of Benin, Burkina-Faso, Ghana, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia and Mali. Also Federal Republic of Nigeria, Republic of Senegal, Sierra-Leone and Togo. It would be recalled that West African Police Chiefs Committee and Chiefs of Security Services met in Abuja under the chairmanship of IGP of Police, Ogbonna Onovo, to submit recommendation on the West African sub-region.