The Gambian Government has called on the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS) Parliamentarians to show more commitment in carrying out their responsibilities as lawmakers in ensuring that laws that promote good governance are enacted.
Vice President, Badara Joof who made an appearance at the ongoing Delocalised meeting in Banjul said effective and vibrant legislature is required to make the region a safe haven.
He said the legislators have a lot of work to do.
“You are the custodian of the laws , you are the creators of the laws and you are the representative of the people .”
“You hold every institutions in a functioning democracy to account.
“The people depends on your effectiveness , your proactiveness , your efficiency in execution of your duties.
“If the legislature functions, the democracy functions,” he said.
The Gambian Vice President further urged the Parliamentarians to seek an effective, vibrant legislature to make all democracy development democracy by graduating from political democracy.
He explained that political democracy leads in ignoring the idioms of democracy while development democracy geared towards tackling poverty, conflicts, hunger among others.
Mr. Joof however,stressed need for people oriented legislation.
“It is time to allow people participation, it is time to allow the legislature to function.
“It time to allow the legislative, the executive and the judiciary to function.”
He also tied that his country is committed to the promotion of women participation in governance, stressing need to involve women inclusiveness in politics.
“The government has deliberate policies on 35% affirmative action on women representative.
“It is just the question of sensitizing the publics who should change the mindset to appreciate the role of women .
“The man and a woman are the two sides of the same coin and minus any one of them there is no value to the coin.
“It is important that this affirmative action is promoted and am sure all those at the National Assemblies and all the media will promote this awareness in order to make sure that they have appreciable representation not only in the parliament but also in the civil service and public service and so forth.
“The fact that ECOWAS Parliamentarians have come together and I think it is one of the strongest regional blocks we have.
“We have the ECOWAS Parliament, we have the ECOMOG and we have other institutions that are coming together and I think that should be consolidated and build upon .
“I mean together we can make a difference in the life of our people. Acquiring comprehensive social economic development is anchored in partnership , in cooperation , in coordination and collaboration.
“And that is what I see in this room, ECOWAS member states cooperating, collaboration for the advancement of ecowas community,” he said.
Earlier, Chairman, Committee on Political Affairs and Security, Edwin Snowe Jnr. commended the Gambian Vice President for the warm reception given to the committee.
“Mr. Vice President we are extremely excited that you took time off to meet with us in our working session .
What we have in the Gambia today is a joint committee on political affairs , peace and security , Africa peer review mechanism (APRM), Legal Affairs and Human Rights / Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment.
“We are meeting in Gambia relating to commuty texts to the governance, the challenges and the implementation of our oversight roles at the ecowas.
“And Gambia is holding that meeting and on behalf of the joint committee of the ecowas parliament we will like to thank you and the people of Gambia for the warm reception we received since our arrival to your country” he said.
