By Odimmegwa Johnpeter, Abuja
Hon. Sidie Tunis, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament in his opening remark disclosed that this session, otherwise known as the “Budget Session”, provides the opportunity, in accordance with provisions of the Supplementary Act, for Parliament to consider the Community’s Budget which specifically is expected to ensure that the estimates are directed towards programs that addresses the needs of the people.
Speaker Tunis said “I make specific reference to Article 17.2a, which states that “after the consideration of the Budget by the Administration and Finance Committee (AFC), the report of the AFC on the Budget shall be presented to Parliament during the Parliamentary Budget Session;
“In fulfillment of this statutory responsibility, we are expected to render opinion, including where necessary, proposals for the amendment to the draft Community Budget”.
Continuing, he said, “It is pertinent for me to report that in November 2020, the Bureau of Parliament, acting upon Article 25.B/3f/vii of the Supplementary Act Relating to the Enhancement of the Powers of the ECOWAS Parliament, met in Cotonou, Republic of Benin to consider and adopt the 2021 Budget of the ECOWAS Parliament, which was formulated in accordance with the ECOWAS Financial Regulations and Accounting Guidelines and Procedure. The budget, as adopted by the Bureau, sought to strengthen economic and social development, reinforce security and support democratic values in the ECOWAS sub-region as directed by the Extraordinary Summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government held on 23rd April 2020. It also focuses on high impact programs and projects that have long-lasting effect that meets priority needs of the ECOWAS Member States and represents an increase of UA785,404 or 4.00% from the approved Revised Budget UA19,649,080 for 2020. He noted.
“Let us be reminded in our consideration of the budget that we are now responding to the worst global pandemic in a century. We live in an era of great uncertainty and increasing risk. Overcoming these challenges in the interests of our fellow citizens should be our major priority.”
“It is also not enough that the budget surmounts the immediate threats brought upon us by COVID-19, it should also advance efforts to make progress on other fronts and priorities which our region continues to value: democracy, rule of law, peace and conflict resolution, the fight against terrorism, poverty reduction and climate change, these are our core missions, and we must seek to deliver on them,” Tunis concluded.
https://any.peopleandpowermag.com/2021-community-budget-under-consideration-by-parliament/
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