Nigeria is yet to pay its 2022 levy to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), it was learnt yesterday.
The country, however, remitted $ 74,730,054.43 to ECOWAS as part of its commitment to the Community levy obligations in 2021.
The community levy, which is obligatory for member states, remains the main sources of funding for the regional body.
During a country presentation by the Nigerian delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament at the ongoing 2022 First Ordinary Session, Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu said that plans are underway for the payment of 2022 levy.
“In 2021, Nigeria remitted $74,730,054.43 to ECOWAS Commission. In line with Nigeria’s commitment to fulfilling her financial obligations to ECOWAS, the Federal Government is assiduously making arrangements to pay up the contribution for 2022.”
On issues of insecurity, the report said: “Indisputably, the Federal Republic of Nigeria is facing challenging times with regards to matters of security and maintenance of a stable political space that supports the growth of peaceful democratic structures.
“Regardless, Nigeria remains resolute and more determined to not only overcome these challenges, but to actively ensure that our joint vision of a peaceful and prosperous community is not ambushed by internal and or other external factors.
“Be rest assured fellow community members, that we will continue to perform our responsibilities in line with community development initiatives,” it maintained.
The number of Commissioners at ECOWAS Commission have been reduced to seven.
Before the current internal restructuring, the commission had 15 commissioners.
The President, ECOWAS Jean Claude Kassi-Brou, who stated this while presenting the State of the Community Report to the ECOWAS Parliament at the ongoing 2022 ordinary session in Abuja, said the commission has already conducted interviews for five new commissioners.
Interviews for the remaining two, according to Kassi-Brou, will be done shortly before forwarding the list to the committee of ministers of the region for approval.
ECOWAS Commission president also spoke about the impact of Covid-19, terrorism and ongoing Russia-Ukraine war on food security.
Calling on the region to be vigilant in all fronts, he, however, revealed that a $330 million Agriculture programme is ongoing to address the challenges of food insecurity in the region as a result of the devastating effects of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian War on the global economy.