Deputising for Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambers, the president of
the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Jules Gogoua, head of Transport Division has said
that the ECOWAS Commission is determined to assist its member states in tern of
implementing the Yamousdoukro decision relating to the liberalisation of access
to air transport markets in Africa.
He said that it aims notably to enhance aviation security and safety in compliance
with ICAO standards and recommended practices (SARPs). Mr. Gogoua was speaking
in an opening ceremony of 7th meeting of the steering committee of the
COSCAP-BAG.
He added that from the 9thto the 10thof September 2008,
ECOWAS commission held a meeting with the institutional group set up by BAG to
review the TOR for the regional Aviation safety and security agency and to
approve a plan of action. "Also the ECOWAS Commission has requested ADB not to
object to the tender," he said. He said in the first week of October, ICAO
signed the protocol for the implementation of the BAG-COSCAP, "The ECOWAS
Commission and Bag Secretariat worked together in order to facilitate the
transfer of the above first disbursement to BAG secretariat $177,500 and for
ICAO: $280,000," he stated.
Mrs. Ngoneh Mboob Jagne chaired the occasion, and said that
the lack of liberalised air transport industry in Africa
is one of the major obstacles to the growth and development of aviation in the
continent. " It was debatable in the past whether the full implementation of
the Yamoussoukro Decision could bring about the desired improvements in the
industry and the association benefits," she said.
