President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria has commended member countries of
the ECOWAS for adopting single biometric identity card meant to facilitate free
movement of persons within the sub-region.
The president gave the commendation at the ongoing 50th
Ordinary Session of the Authority and Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS,
in Abuja on Saturday.
He expressed optimism that the single biometric identity
card would also facilitate the establishment of a single currency in the
sub-region.
Buhari noted that considerable progress had also been made
in the areas of industrial policy, mineral exploitation, agriculture,
environment, infrastructure, telecommunications and energy.
“The adoption of a single biometric identity card is also
commendable and will facilitate the establishment of a single currency, while
engendering Free Movement of Persons.
“Considerable progress has also been made in the areas of
industrial policy, mineral exploitation, agriculture, environment,
infrastructure, telecommunications and energy.
“We also have in place a coordinated capacity to respond to
the threat or outbreak of pandemics through the Regional Centre for Disease
Control and Surveillance, which is now domiciled in Nigeria.”
On climate change, the president stressed the need for collective
efforts by leaders in the sub-region to confront climate change.
According to him, the negative consequences of Climate
Change, including the drying up of water bodies are real in the region.
Another adverse effect of globalisation, which we need to
confront collectively, is Climate Change which is affecting our countries in
many ways such as desertification, erosion, rise in sea level and flooding.
“This situation is further worsened by the near absence of
response and adaptive capacities in our countries.
“The negative consequences of Climate Change, including the
drying up of water bodies are real in the region.
Source: Punchng
