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ECOWAS Finalizes Framework for Establishment of USD75 million Renewal Energy Facility
ECOWAS Finalizes Framework for Establishment of USD75 million Renewal Energy Facility
…Tuggar Calls for Creation of Enabling Environment first Private Sector to Thrive
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States has finalised the framework for the establishment of of a $75million ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Facility.
The regional bloc is also interested in improving storage facilities, milling initiatives and enhancing mechanization in paddy production, stating that $19 billion investment is needed for this.
The President, ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Alieu Omar Touray made the disclosure on Thursday at the opening of the 93rd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers holding in Abuja.
Touray, while commending the ongoing work on the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project, which is part of some of the integrated project for the community, listed other integrated programmes aimed at integrating the region including the 6,800km Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline projects, regulation on roaming, direct flight, water amongst others.
He said: “A Framework Document for the Establishment of an ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Facility has been finalised by the Ministers. This is a new blended finance facility with an initial amount of USD75 million, whose objective is to provide grants, loans and guarantees through regular demand-driven competitive calls for proposals providing clean energy solutions for the ECOWAS region.
“Towards regional self sufficiency in rice production, the “Rice Offensive” project launched by the Commission in 2014, under the ECOWAS Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP) has now reached a second cycle with the development of a Second Regional Action Plan (2025-2035) to replace the 2020-2025 plan, which is expiring next year.”
He added that to attain regional self-sufficiency in rice, the local production of 33 million tonnes of milled rice is required to meet a planned consumption target by 2035, noting that this will also require a financial investment of US15 to $19 billion dollars of capital expenditures (CAPEX) towards improving storage facilities, milling initiatives and enhancing mechanization in paddy production.”
On the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline, he said: “This regional integrative project aims to build a gas pipeline linking Nigeria to Morocco, feeding ECOWAS member states and Mauritania with future extension to Europe. It is an infrastructure of 6,800 km long, including 5,100 km offshore, with a transport capacity of 30 billion cubic feet of natural gas per year.”
Touray said on other integration project: “Progress has continued to be recorded regarding the implementation of ECOWAS Regulation on Roaming on Public Mobile Communications Networks in the ECOWAS Space. Phased implementation of this roaming tariff rates is progressing through several bilateral arrangements.
“The ECOWAS Roaming is now live in at least six member states since its adoption in December 2017 by this Council.
“Regarding high cost of air transport in the Community, which hinders intra-regional air transport development, the Ministers responsible for Air Transport met recently to deliberate on a Regional Strategy for the Harmonization of Air Transport Charges, Fees and Taxes in ECOWAS Member States, and a Supplementary Act relating to the Common Policy on Aviation Charges, Taxes and Fees in ECOWAS Member States. The Act seeks a cancellation of all taxes deemed inconsistent with ICAO rules and principles, along with a 25% reduction in passenger and security charges. This is a significant development for the business improvement of the regional air transport sector and the facilitation of movement of persons and goods within the Community.
“Furthermore, this year, ECOWAS Commission revived its regional cooperation and integration programme in the water sector which dates to 2001. The Ministers in charge of water resources met and adopted fourteen (14) Resolutions relating to the revision of the 2008 West Africa Water Resource Policy; Management of Shared Water Resources in West Africa, Water Infrastructure Development, among others, with the goal of contributing to poverty reduction, sustainable development and environmental protection.”
Touray, assured that the “Commission will continue to measure the impact of our Community investments in regional cooperation and integration through the Human Capital Development indexes which include both regional and member state’s strategies, and commitments made towards improving health and nutrition, education, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and digital economy. “
The President of the Commission also lamented the dwindling community levy in the last six years, saying only 40% of the approved Levy for this year had been received as at October 2024.
He said “For instance, for now six consecutive years, the Community levy remittances from the Member States have been declining. This year, as of 30th October, the Community Institutions received only 40% of the approved funds from the Community Levy, thereby hindering the implementation of the Community work programme.
“This Council has a critical role in the realization of the many objectives we set for our region. The role of our member states in providing the necessary resources for our Institutions, removing non-tariff barriers, implementing regionally agreed policies and commitments is vital to our success. Our local private sector actors also have an important role, and they need the support of both the regional institutions and governments to exploit the vast potentials in our community.
“We must give our local private sector actors the right of first refusal in any investment opportunity in our community. We should harness the resources of our businessmen and women to succeed. The goal is to mobilise, develop and retain regional capital within the Community for the overall good of all.”
On the issue of security, Touray said: “While we work hard on our economic integration agenda, we will continue to pay attention to the issues of security and political stability of our community. Terrorism, violent extremism and organised crime continue to hinder our efforts towards security. The ill effects of drug abuse and drug trafficking in our region are also of great concern. These challenges are far above the capacity of any single member state of the Community to ovoverco”
He added: “That is why we are concerned about the decision of the Military authorities in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to withdraw from our community. We will continue to engage with these authorities to reconsider their decision, which will serve no one party. Together, ECOWAS member states have made progress as our unity is our strength.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is also the Chairman of ECOWAS Council of Ministers, Yusuf Tuggar has charged governments of Economic Community of West African States to create enabling environment for private sector to thrive.
Tuggar, speaking at the opening of the 93rd Ordinary Session of Council of Ministers of ECOWAS, described the private sector as the driving force in the region’s integration process.
The Minister also stressed the need for a strong commitment to facilitating and improving trade within the sub-region.
Tuggar, who lamented the current low trade amongst member states which hovers around 12%-13%, urged member states to leverage on the existing instruments to promote greater regional economic cooperation.
He said: “ECOWAS stands at a pivotal point in its existence. The region faces multifaceted challenges that can only be overcome through enhanced cooperation and a deeper common understanding among our Member States. It also requires assiduous statecraft and diplomatic nous.
“Our governments must continue to make concerted efforts to create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive, as they are the driving force behind the economic integration agenda. And yes, sometimes integration poses difficult sovereignty issues. But in the long run, its for the benefit of all member states.
“Additionally, Member States must demonstrate a strong commitment to facilitating and improving trade within the sub-region. The current intra-regional trade percentage, which hovers around 12%-13%, is significantly low compared to other regions.
“We must therefore leverage existing instruments to promote greater regional economic cooperation, such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and the ECOWAS Investment Code.”
He also called for resolution of the non-tariff barriers amingst other.
According to him, ” We must tackle the issue of Non-Tariff Barriers, operationalize and modernize border posts, and enhance the Joint Border Management process.”
He also affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to thr process, saying ” It is crucial for our private sector to have investments and partnerships across the region. Member States need to evolve mechanisms and strategies to sensitize both the government officials and private sector groups on the economic potential of our region.”
He also said he will personally lead a delegation of all West African Ambassadors in Abuja and relevant ECOWAS Commission officials for a sensitization program in Lagos that will serve as an Economic Forum at the beginning of the year 2025.
Explaining that ” This event aims to showcase the economic potentials of the region and the regional instruments put in place to promote trade and investment. Participants will also have the opportunity to conduct physical inspections of factories producing various community products traded under the ETLS. I urge other Ministers to initiate similar activities that will unlock our economic potentials and enhance business cooperation within our region. Creating trade and Investment opportunities will yield substantial benefits and position our community to reap significant rewards, thereby improving the lives of our populace. We have been trading with each other and investing in each other’s territories long before the advent of the modern Westphalian state system and its static borders. The kola nuts and livestock are living proof,” he added.
ECOWAS Finalizes Framework for Establishment of USD75 million Renewal Energy Facility
Clash erupts between police, horse riders near Bayero University Kano
By: Zagazola Makama
A violent clash broke out on Saturday between a group of horse riders and personnel of the Nigerian Police Force in the Rimin Gata area, opposite Bayero University Kano (New Site).
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident, which occurred at about 4:50 p.m., on Sunday involved a surveillance team from the Rijiyar Zaki Division of the Kano State Police Command.
It was gathered that the confrontation followed a tip-off received by the police, alerting them to an unauthorised horse race taking place in the area.
The informant had reportedly warned that the race could degenerate into criminal activity, including phone snatching and possible fatalities.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the surveillance team moved to the location to disperse the riders, which led to resistance and a physical altercation.
Eyewitnesses said the scene became tense as officers attempted to arrest some of the horse riders, who in turn protested what they described as heavy-handedness by the police.
Sources said normalcy was later restored, and no fatalities were recorded. However, it remains unclear if any arrests were made.
The Kano State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Clash erupts between police, horse riders near Bayero University Kano
Whistleblower recounts ordeal after exposing drug trafficker in Kano
By: Zagazola Makama
A young whistleblower has come forward with a detailed account of alleged harassment, detention, and intimidation he faced after exposing a suspected drug trafficker, Sulaiman Dan Wawu, in Kano State.
The incident, which began in December 2022, involved multiple arrests, prolonged court appearances, and alleged violations of his fundamental rights, despite his role in alerting the public to the arrest of Dan Wawu with 500 cartons of Tramadol.
The whistleblower, who spoke under anonymity due to safety concerns, said the situation began after he posted news of Dan Wawu’s arrest on TikTok – a post that gained over 41,000 views. The viral post, which followed a similar disclosure by Police Spokesman SP Abdullahi Kiyawa on Facebook, allegedly provoked backlash from the suspect and his associates.
“Though I had no personal connection to Dan Wawu, the day after I posted the video, a man named Abba Abdullahi came to my area in Kwankwaso, claiming to be from the CID. He accused me of buying a stolen phone and insisted I follow him to Farm Center,” the whistleblower said.
“Instead of Farm Center, I was taken to the Rapid Response Team (RRT) cell, where I spent three days. Each day, Dan Wawu, his wife, and another associate, Abdullahi Amdaz, came to see me. I was tortured in their presence. They claimed I had defamed them on TikTok.”
After being taken before a magistrate at the PRP Court under Judge Nura Yusuf Ahmad, the complainant was returned to the CID on remand. He later appeared in court where the formal charge was read: defamation and public misinformation for stating that “Dan Wawu was a drug trafficker” on social media.
The prosecution alleged that over 41,000 people had viewed the TikTok video and that radio stations had also aired the case. The suspect’s wife reportedly gave a media interview accusing the whistleblower of damaging her husband’s reputation.
The judge remanded the whistleblower to prison for five days before he was granted bail under six strict conditions, including the provision of two civil servants of Grade Level 12 or above, endorsement by a ward head, and an undertaking to refrain from using social media or any media platform.
Later, the whistleblower alleged further intimidation. “Abba Abdullahi, who earlier arrested me, called me and my elder brother outside court. He video-called Dan Wawu, who was then in Qatar, and forced me to delete two TikTok accounts with 87,000 and 19,000 followers,” he said.
He claimed three of his SIM cards were seized – the ones linked to his TikTok and email accounts – and was warned against SIM swapping or returning to social media.
Despite this, the trial dragged on for 11 to 13 months. “Even though the court was aware that Dan Wawu had been arrested with drugs, he and his wife never showed up in court,” he said.
One day, he was re-arrested by Abba Abdullahi on the claim that he had violated bail conditions. He was detained at CID for two days before being transferred to prison, where he spent 38 days during Ramadan in 2023, eventually regaining his freedom on the 29th day of fasting.
At the peak of the trial, he was reportedly pressured by the prosecutor, Aliyu Abideen, to swear an oath in court to prove his innocence. He rejected the condition, citing Islamic jurisprudence, which limits such oaths to civil or financial disputes – not criminal cases involving narcotics.
“In Maliki jurisprudence, oaths are only valid in financial matters, not cases involving someone caught with illegal drugs,” he said, quoting a Maliki legal verse.
Eventually, after the prosecution failed to present evidence or secure testimony from Dan Wawu, the case lost momentum. Meanwhile, Dan Wawu, who was arrested and arraigned at the Federal High Court on drug trafficking charges, reportedly fled with his wife and has since been at large.
“Now the entire world, not just 41,000 people, knows he was caught with drugs. His disgrace is from God. He spent nearly 50 days in prison before escaping,” the whistleblower said.
Whistleblower recounts ordeal after exposing drug trafficker in Kano
Army, DSS-backed hybrid forces kill 45 bandits in Niger gun battle
By: Zagazola Makama
The troops of the Nigerian Army and hybrid forces, with critical intelligence support from the Department of State Services (DSS), have neutralised no fewer than 45 bandits during a fierce gunfight in Iburu village, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, in what appears to be a major success in Nigeria’s ongoing counter-terrorism efforts,
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the joint operation was launched on Friday evening following intelligence that a large number of terrorists riding on motorcycles were advancing to launch coordinated attacks on Iburu and neighbouring communities.
According to the sources, the DSS intercepted early signals of the planned movement and quickly passed the alert to troops who had been on standby in the general area.
“The terrorists were said to have split into smaller columns, attempting to encircle the village under the cover of dusk, but were ambushed by the troops who engaged them in a sustained firefight that lasted several hours,” one source said.
The troops who returned to the scene after the exchange of gunfire confirmed counting at least 40 dead bodies of the bandits, while dozens of motorcycles used by the attackers were reportedly destroyed.
Two members of the hybrid forces fighting alongside the troops paid the supreme price, while four others were evacuated with serious gunshot wounds and are currently receiving treatment at a public hospital in Minna, the state capital.
Friday’s clash is the latest in a series of counter-offensives launched by security forces to decimate terrorists and secure communities across Niger State, especially in the volatile Shiroro-Munya axis which has become a stronghold for various criminal groups.
In April, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Bashir Adeniyi, raised the alarm over escalating terrorist activity around the Babanna border area of Niger State.
Adeniyi had revealed that Customs officers narrowly escaped an ambush by terrorists after intercepting 500 jerrycans of petrol allegedly being smuggled to insurgents operating within the state and across the border.
Friday’s success point to the importance of synergy between intelligence services and ground forces in disrupting terrorist logistics and operational movements across the North Central region.
The proactive engagement by DSS, coupled with swift tactical response by the military, is beginning to shift the operational advantage in favour of state forces.
Army, DSS-backed hybrid forces kill 45 bandits in Niger gun battle
Clash erupts between police, horse riders near Bayero University Kano
Whistleblower recounts ordeal after exposing drug trafficker in Kano
Army, DSS-backed hybrid forces kill 45 bandits in Niger gun battle
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