Buhari commends ECOWAS for adopting single biometric identity card

President Muhammadu Buhari has commended member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for adopting single biometric identity card meant to facilitate free movement of persons within the sub-region.

The president gave the commendation at the ongoing 50th Ordinary Session of the Authority and Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, in Abuja on Saturday.

He expressed optimism that the single biometric identity card would also facilitate the establishment of a single currency in the sub-region.

He noted that considerable progress had also been made in the areas of industrial policy, mineral exploitation, agriculture, environment, infrastructure, telecommunications and energy.

“The adoption of a single biometric identity card is also commendable and will facilitate the establishment of a single currency, while engendering Free Movement of Persons.

“Considerable progress has also been made in the areas of industrial policy, mineral exploitation, agriculture, environment, infrastructure, telecommunications and energy.

“We also have in place a coordinated capacity to respond to the threat or outbreak of pandemics through the Regional Centre for Disease Control and Surveillance, which is now domiciled in Nigeria.”

Coming to the issue of climate change, the president stressed the need for collective efforts by leaders in the sub-region to confront climate change.

He said the negative consequences of Climate Change, including the drying up of water bodies are real in the region, stressing that adverse effect of globalisation, which we need to confront collectively, is Climate Change which is affecting our countries in many ways such as desertification, erosion, rise in sea level and flooding.

“This situation is further worsened by the near absence of response and adaptive capacities in our countries.

“The negative consequences of Climate Change, including the drying up of water bodies are real in the region.