Abuja -Mrs Husseini Suleiman, the Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security, ECOWAS, has said that the proliferation of Small Arms and Light weapons (SALW) constituted a major destabilising factor in region.
Suleiman said this on Thursday in Abuja at a training on arms exemption procedures for armed, security, police and paramilitary services.
He said there was the need to control transfer of arms in the region given the danger arms proliferation posed to peace and stability of member states.
Suleiman said that the exemption procedure was cornerstone of ECOWAS policy on SALW.
“As a result, thorough understanding and appreciation of the procedure is key to compliance with specific provisions relating to the exemption procedure.
“They are essential conditions for the effective control of transfer of arms in the region and hence for the fight against the illicit proliferation of SALW, ‘’ the Commissioner said.
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Mr Emmanuel Imohe, Chairman of the Nigerian Presidential Committee on small Arms and Light Weapons said there was the need to regularly sensitise relevant agencies’personnel and the civil society on the dangers of arms proliferation.
According to Imohe, capacity building will help them to be conversant with criteria and the specific provisions relating to the exemption procedure.
“These are essential conditions for the effective control of transfer of arms in the region and more so will enhance the fight against the proliferation of SALW.
“The training of member states focal persons on the exemption procedure to the ECOWAS convention on small arms serves the above purpose,” he said.
ECOWAS Commission organised the meeting in collaboration with the Presidential Committee on Small Arms of Nigeria. (NAN)