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President of the ECOWAS Commission Speaks on Aviation Matters

Oct 31, 2008, 7:27 AM | Article By: Bakary Samateh

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.