Sat, November 07, 2009
LAGOS, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Ministers in charge of security from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have resolved to improve the free movement of persons and goods within the sub-region, and promote peace and integration.
The voiced the agreement in a seven-point communiquｅ read by Nigeria's Minister of Police Affairs Yakubu Lame on Friday.
The communiquｅ said the excessive acts of corruption involving security agencies along international highways and border crossings of member states have impeded the free movement of persons and goods.
It urged the security services to show discipline and professionalism when executing their operations to minimize cases of corruption affecting free movement.
"In this respect, security services of member states should form joint teams to prevent extortion and other corrupt practices at the borders and along the international highways connecting members' states," the communiquｅ said.
It urged member states where the ECOWAS passport was not yet in circulation, including Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, the Gambia, Ghana, Mali and Sierra Leone, to ensure that it was available as soon as possible.
The communiquｅ quoted the ministers as urging ECOWAS commission to intensify efforts to fasts track the adoption of the community passport by member states.
The ministers also called on member states to abolish resident permit in implementing the decisions of the heads of state and government, recognize the Interpol passport and approve visa waiver for bearers.
