PHOTO: Liberian Lawmakers Clarence Kortu Massaquoi, Stephen J.H. Zargo and Jonathan L. Kaipay.
By Tokpa Tarnue, tarnue82@gmail.com
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone–A delegation of Liberian Lawmakers has joined other Members of Parliament in Freetown, Sierra Leone for the Economic Community of West African States Parliamentary Sitting that focuses on ECOWAS’ Tax Levy.
The meeting began on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 in the Sierra Leonean capital.
This is the execution of the Regional Body’s Parliamentary Seminar and first Extra-Ordinary Sitting in 2021 being hosted by one of the four Founding member Countries; a process that is always rotational with the exception of the May Sitting that is always held in Abuja, Nigeria.
The delegation departed Liberia on 22, March along with the Liberia News Agency Grand Bassa County Correspondent and the ELBC’ Upper Lofa County Correspondent, Tukpa Tarnue.
As was demonstrated during the arrival of other States’ Lawmakers, the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament Mohammed Tunis from the host country was excitingly seen welcoming and engaging Parliamentarians from Liberia, which is governed by President George Manneh Weah.
Although Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe is the Head of Liberia’s ECOWAS Parliamentarians, but the Homeland of President Julius Maada Bio has only witnessed the arrival of three Lawmakers from Liberia.
They include Representative Clarence Kortu Massaquoi and Senator Stephen J.H. Zargo, both of Lofa County and Grand Bassa 2014 Elected Senator and Senator Jonathan L. Kaipay.
Senator Snowe and Rep. Ajah F. Siryon are expected soon according to one of the Oldest ECOWAS’ Parliamentarians, Clarence Massaquoi.
During one of several media engagements in FREETOWN, the Lofa County Senator disclosed that the Sitting is structured in several categories; including report from ECOWAS’ missions embarked on in other Countries prior to their convergence in Sierra Leone, the induction of New members and extensive deliberation on the Role of Parliamentarians of Member States regarding the ensuring nature of the Regional Body Tax Levy protocol.
He explained that ECOWAS Tax Collection is the payment made in every Member States regarding imported goods outside of the West African Boundaries (Borders).
One highlight of the current activities is the West Africa Customs Union.
It was also revealed that the Body 115 Parliamentarians are drawn on the basis of Population; thus creating 35 slots for Nigeria; as Liberia accounts for five members.
The West African Body, ECOWAS functions on a regular platform with four pillars: Peace and Security, Developing Infrastructure, Policy harmonization (to facilitate trade) and Good Corporate Governance.
“A good deal of emphasis is placed on assisting Member States understand that adhering to the Supra-national level will bring benefits to each Nation,” Senator Zargo expressed.
Meanwhile, the Sitting that is hosting 15 Member States of the Economic Community of West African States is being held at the International Hall of Sierra Leone in FREETOWN.