World Bank to assist ECOWAS deepen regional cooperation

The World Bank has expressed its willingness to deepen cooperation with ECOWAS to promote its regional integration in the sub-region. A report by ECOWAS quoted the bank’s Vice President, African

Region, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, as saying  that “ECOWAS is one of the bank’s important partners” and commended its initiatives to promote economic development in the sub-region.

The report stated that Ezekwesili made the remark in Washington when she received a delegation from ECOWAS, led by Dr Ada Okwuosa, the Commissioner for Administration and Finance.

She said that such partnership would fast-track ECOWAS new Regional Strategic Plan aimed at reviewing its existing institutional structure.

The bank also gave recommendations to ECOWAS for effectively running its operations, including the establishment of a task force on strategic planning, human resources, community computer centre and external relations communications.

Others are education, cultural science and technology directorates with the view to developing a mechanism for implementing a South-South type regional cooperation.

ECOWAS is a 15 member organisation, established in 1975 to promote economic cooperation and integration in the sub-region, and President Goodluck Jonathan is its current chairman.-vanguard