The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States on Saturday said it was working closely with the Federal Capital Territory authorities on restoration of normalcy to the Parliament’s operations.
Operations of the regional Parliament has been impacted upon by the temporary shutting down of the Abuja International Conference Centre (I.C.C).
The Parliament maintains some shared services with the Abuja I.C.C. such as electricity supply and some
leased office spaces which serve as annexes to the Parliament.
A statement by the Parliament’s Communication department said the regional body has established talks with the FCT authorities.
The statement reads: “The ECOWAS Parliament is working assiduously with the relevant authorities of the
Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, to restore the normal order of its work environment, following the
temporary shutting down of the Abuja International Conference Centre (I.C.C).
“The shut-down situation which is on the instructions of the Federal Government of Nigeria, has led to the ECOWAS Parliament’s operations
being negatively impacted.
“The Parliament maintains some shared services with the Abuja I.C.C. such as electricity supply and some
leased office spaces which serve as annexes to the Parliament. Nonetheless, the recent erratic general state of
affairs in power supply has caused the Parliament to experience power disruptions during work hours, owing
to the absence of the I.C.C. power generator personnel engaged to man the service.
“It may also have been observed that the I.C.C shut-down also triggered the deployment of a new security
management at its main entrance as well as the demarcation of the I.C.C –ECOWAS Parliament facilities
with a temporary perimeter fencing, whereas hitherto, they had seamlessboundary separating the two
facilities.
“As Parliament has established talks with the FCT authorities, it can safely infer that these measures put in
place by its host authorities are to facilitate the impending rehabilitation exercise being planned for the I.C.C.
facility. It was not intended tocause any disruptions and inconveniences for the Parliament.
“To this extent, ECOWAS Parliament is hereby, reassuring all its stakeholders that discussions are ongoing
with its host, with a view to ensure that its operations are smooth, with the least possible interruptions.”
