By Tope Ponle
Abuja – The Speakers of some African parliaments have urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to confer legislative powers on the ECOWAS Parliament to enable it to function truly as a parliament.
The Speakers made the call at the opening of the Second Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja on Thursday.
The Speaker of the Sierra Leone Parliament, Mr Sheku Dumbuya, stated that until the ECOWAS Parliament begins to perform legislative functions, it will be a misnomer to address it as a parliament.
“I emphasise that the parliament standing on its own leg, apart from the authority, should be brought visibly to the people.
“Many national parliaments are not doing enough in this respect.
“I solemnly, passionately and at the same time firmly call on all of you to spare no effort in making ECOWAS Parliament a veritable parliament worthy of what the word “parliament” denotes and connotes.
“I wish to submit here that a parliament that only advises or only exists to be consulted ceases to be a parliament in the traditional sense of the word.
“Parliament is principally all about legislating; the functions of oversight and representation are performed only after legislation.
“As long as ECOWAS parliament continues to serve only as advisory or consultative body, it is doing virtually nothing pertinent to a real legislature.
“Unless the ECOWAS Parliament is vested with full legislative powers, it would be a misnomer to refer to it as a parliament.”
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The Speaker of the EALA, Mr Daniel Kidega, said it was imperative for the ECOWAS Parliament to function as a legislative body in order to realise integration to the fullest.
Kidega said that such functions would enable the parliament to enact laws that would influence change and respond to the demands of the population.
“I recall with vigour the third legislature sought the enhancement of its powers to include the power to legislate in co-decision with the Council of Ministers, budget appropriation and confirmation of statutory appointees of the community institutions.
“However, last year, reservations raised amongst some of the member states put on check the adoption of the signing of the Draft Supplementary Act on the Enhance of Powers of the Parliament.
“The fourth parliament has once again taken up on the spirited campaign to enhance its powers, and this is an initiative that has the full support of the EALA.”
He noted that the EALA functioned as a legislative body in the EAST African sub-region adding the “our experience as a regional parliament is unique”.
He further said that EALA had enacted more than 70 pieces of legislation which he said had contributed to transforming the live of citizens within the East African sub-region.
He called on ECOWAS to enhance institutional collaboration to facilitate the realisation of the ECOWAS Vision 2020.
EALA is the law-making organ of the East African Community.
As the legislative organ of the community, EALA is responsible for approving budgets of the EAC, debating audit reports, performing an oversight function, and initiating Bills in the Assembly.
The EALA representatives hold office for five years and are eligible for re-election once for a further term of five years.
Decisions in the Assembly are guided by a majority vote of the representatives present and voting.
Once a Bill has been enacted by the Assembly and assented to by the Heads of State or Government, it becomes an Act of the Community.