Abuja – Members of the House of Representatives and their counterparts in Niger Republic have vowed to collaborate in tackling security challenges in the Lake Chad basin.
The two parliaments also pledged to foster a more harmonious diplomatic relationship.
This is contained in a joint communiqué issued by both parliaments on Friday in Abuja after the conclusion of a working visit by some Nigerien lawmakers.
The communiqué was signed by Speaker, Yakubu Dogara and the President of the Nigerien National Assembly, Mr Ousseini Tinni.
They said that both parliaments had working sessions and explored economic and social areas of collaboration.
“This is with emphasis on examining root causes of terrorism and providing actionable solutions.’’
The parliamentarians called for global support in the war against insurgency.
They said both parliaments would pay a joint visit to military forces fighting terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin axis.
They also urged their respective countries to activate the agreement on reciprocal investment in order to promote trade between the two countries.
“The Nigerian and Nigerien parliaments will also be tackling environmental challenges regarding desertification and climate change in the Lake Chad Basin, and resolved to set up a consultative framework between both parliamentary institutions.”
Speaking during the presentation of the communiqué, Dogara stressed the need for increased cooperation between African countries.
“For Africa to make progress, none of our countries should be an island.
“Everything we have said is crystallised in the document we have just signed and now, we need the wisdom, strength and courage to see resolutions in the document through, as that is the only way that engagements can be sustained,’’ the speaker said.
Dogara also announced that a delegation from the House would pay a reciprocal working visit to the Nigerien National Assembly.
He further assured the delegation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s willingness to support the agreements reached. (NAN)