Dr. Taal made this disclosure on 8th September 2022 during a two-day stakeholder forum aimed at improving free movement of goods across the region.
Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for ECOWAS member countries, the two-day session seeks to identify obstacles and map out areas to ensure smooth flow of goods and services within the sub-region.
However, Dr. Taal said West African Region is ahead of other sub-regions in terms of the free movement of people, goods and services.
"Most of the challenges encountered are costs incurred by traders, the amount of time spent at borders to get clearance, and external tariffs under ECOWAS customs regulations among others,” Dr. Taal pointed out. “We are not satisfied for the time being. We want what is what is in the Gambia to be in other African countries. ” he said.
Justin Bayili, Principal Trade Adviser for ECOWAP-USAID Project, said the failure of some member states to implement some protocols adopted by ECOWAS Heads of State remain one of the major challenges to free movement.
He observed that in the region, they have recorded more than fifty (50) regulations on trade and transport; unfortunately, once the regulations are adopted by the heads of states some of their administrations are unable to enforce these regulations.
Justin Bayili added that they have so many protocols to make sure the free movement of people, goods, and services are possible.
Sheikh Tijan Gaye, customs office and a trade facilitator at the Gambia Ports Authority said they intend to make trade easily accessible as well as the free movement of people.
