By Nasratu Kargbo
The Leader of the opposition in Parliament Chernor Maju Bah has urged the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mamadi Gobeh Kamara to encourage ECOWAS to be effective, stating that with an effective regional body, protocols bordering agreements between the Governments of Sierra Leone and the Republic of Gambia will not be brought to parliament.
Bah made this call on the 24th January 2023, during his debate on the four agreements between the government of Sierra Leone and the Republic of The Gambia, and Qatar.
On the agreement with Gambia he said “If ECOWAS was working as it supposed to as per the revised protocol, these agreement are not necessary”.
He spoke of the impasse which occurred some years ago between Nigeria and Benin, where borders were closed.
“Madam Foreign Minister when you go to Abuja tell them we need ECOWAS to work” said the Leader. He added that if the protocol was effective, no country in the region would need an agreement on trade . Bah explained that it is due to the challenges that, make countries go into bilateral agreements.
He encouraged West African countries to involve in trade with each other. The MP further asked that Sierra Leonean farmers be encouraged to produce more in order to increase exportation, noting that it will improve the nation’s forex.
The MP mentioned that ECOWAS started before the East African Block, but stated that the East Africans are way ahead of the West Africans in implementation.
On the aviation industry, he stated that the air service agreement with Qatar is a good one, but emphasized on continuity.
The MP said a similar agreement was made with the Turkish government and that the Turkish airline started coming, however many concerns were raised by the masses about delay, size of flight amongst others.
The Speaker of Parliament Chernor Abass Bundu said the revised treaty is suffering from implementation in almost all areas. He mentioned trade, free movement of persons amongst others.
He explained that ECOWAS was supposed to be the building block for the general African continental free trade between African countries.
The Deputy Leader of Government Business Bashiru Silikie said that ECOWAS is expected to have done more, but noted that now Sierra Leone has to come together with other countries to synergize their relationship.
He asked the Deputy Minister to ensure that the agreements benefit the people of Sierra Leone.
Silikie made a commitment on behalf of parliament that they will be following up on agreements .
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs whilst responding to Bah said she will relay the message and hope they see more action from ECOWAS.
She stated that Sierra Leone will be exporting oil, salt and other products to the Gambia, explaining that this will be beneficial to the country’s foreign exchange, and more jobs for Sierra Leoneans.
Responding on the concerns raised with airlines, she stated that the ministry will ensure that the people get their money’s worth, stating that they will engage them.
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