Abuja - Nigeria — The Fund for Development and Financing of ECOWAS Transport and Energy sectors (ECOWAS FODETE) has launched a feasibility study on how to improve infrastructure in the sub-region with emphasis on the Transport and Energy sectors.
In a launching ceremony which took place at the Conference wing of the ECOWAS Commission on the 19th of March 2012,the Commissioner for Infrastructure Mr. Ebrima Njie of the ECOWAS Commission,in his opening speech urged the delegates, members of EBID and the consultants to map out a framework on which the feasibility study will be carried out effectively. Gide Loyrette Nouel, Gibralter Advisory Group and SNC Lavalin, the consortium contracted to carry out the feasibility study by ECOWAS, outlined the assessment of the economic, financial and institutional feasibility of FODETE as its main objective in its presentation.
To achieve this it will take into account the investment needs in the ECOWAS Transport and Energy sectors within a term of 20years as agreed in the terms of reference and set up the eligibility criteria for projects to be funded after the area of needs have been identified. The Consortium will closely analyse the legal, tax and institutional frame work pertaining to the set up of the FODETE-ECOWAS.
A data collation exercise will be launched in which the ECOWAS Commission will call on national units of member states to liaise with the consultants and also assist them in obtaining information from existing regional institutions, existing funds(Agriculture, PAPED, Telecom, FABER etc.
The chairman of the launch, Alliagui Abdoulaye (Director of community infrastructure department in the ministry of Integration Cote d'Ivoire)and the Representatives from the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) urged the study not to limit its funding to the Agriculture, Mining and the Hydrocarbon(oil and Gas) sector, but to consider other sources through the involvement of the Private Sector and donors.
They also urged ECOWAS to approach Cote d'Ivoire for the reactivation of the Technical working Committee of the Ivorian President (CT-PRCI) for the Coordination of the Study on behalf of the Heads of the State of Member States.
FODETE Highlighted the issue of equalization, stating that access to funds should not be limited to economic and financial criteria. The development of all member states should be the taken into account as well as the cost of maintenance of the infrastructure.
The Commissioner for Infrastructure of ECOWAS was represented by the Principal Programme Officer of the Transport Directorate, Mr.Gogoua Jules. Also in attendance was the Director of Finance Mr. Gueye Ibrahima.
The FODETE was formed by a decision by ECOWAS Heads of state and Governments at the 37th summit in Abuja on the 22nd of June 2009 in collaboration with the African Development Bank(AFDB),EBID and the PPDU.
