David Mark: ECOWAS Parliament Not a Toothless Dog

By: Online Publisher's

Nigeria Senate President

Senate President, David Mark, has called on members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to subject themselves to the parliamentary practices and procedures binding them, saying henceforth the ECOWAS Parliament would be proactive.

Speaking when he played host to the Speaker and members of ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, Mark said all nations within the sub-region must respect resolutions from the parliament.

He said only absolute observance and compliance by nations in the sub-region could make the parliament a strong force in its legislative and oversight functions.

The ECOWAS Parliament, he said, should be able to make enforceable laws, adding: “We must be able to bark and bite.”
He urged member states to borrow a leaf from the activities of United Nations and some other renowned international organisations, adding: “Our work would be easier when member states subject themselves to the parliamentary resolutions.”

Mark, however, assured them of the cooperation and commitment of Nigeria’s National Assembly in making the ECOWAS parliament a toast of other continents.

Earlier, the Speaker, ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, said the present crop of legislators in the parliament were dedicated and committed. He said with the current approach to legislative functions, legislations in the sub-region would start to yield positive results.

Ekweremadu commended the senate president for his support and encouragement, adding that the body would continue to tap from the wealth of experience in the Nigerian Senate and its leadership.