President Ouedraogo Urges Improved Coordination of ECOWAS Projects At National Level

15 March 2013
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Economic Community of West African States (Abuja)
press release

Uyo - Nigeria — The President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo has called for proposals from stakeholders to improve communication and cooperation for coordinated implementation of regional programmes in Member States.

"Enhancing the coordination and synergy of actions by various actors in the Community is essential in ensuring the coherent implementation of Community programmes," the President said in a speech at the opening of the 7th annual Retreat of officials from the ECOWAS Commission and Community institutions, at Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Thursday, 14th March 2013.

Describing the retreat as an extension of the ongoing stakeholders' dialogue, the President Ouédraogo said this first session under the present management would have an added dimension of providing an opportunity for insight into "huge regional integration projects" for the realization of the dream of the founding fathers for the socio-economic integration of the region.

He said the projects were an expression of the region's commitment to "accelerate the realisation of a developed and integrated West Africa supported not only by dense and complementary infrastructure reinforced by the creation of an enabling regional environment while increasing the capacity for resilience of their economies."

Through the platform provided by the retreat, the ECOWAS chief said the stakeholders would "outline the different response strategies being deployed to address the current challenges confronting the region" which require concerted action.

In opening the meeting, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom urged the stakeholders to work towards accelerating the region's integration, saying that this held the key to regional economic development and safeguarding the welfare of the citizens since none of the 15 Member States could go it alone.

Citing the experience of the European Union which is vigorously pursuing its integration project despite the superior economic status of its member states, the governor said this should serve as evidence for West Africa about the value of the enterprise.

The ECOWAS delegation was hosted to a dinner by Governor Akpabio during which they were treated to the culinary specialities of the state, its rich culture and the vibrancy of its youth, including a solo violin rendition of Nigeria's National Anthem by four-year-old Precious Victor Eka followed with equally entertaining local songs on saxophone by his nine-year-old older

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