The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged lawmakers to remain steadfast until the general standard of living of the populace improves.

Development Diaries reports that the call was made by the speaker of the ECOWAS parliament, Sidie Tunis, at the closing of the 2023 First Ordinary Session in Abuja, Nigeria.

Despite the objectives of ECOWAS, which include improving the living standards of the people in member states, it has been weighed down by numerous problems like security, financial problems, and religious crisis.

Also, with an economic output of 724.70 billion U.S. dollars annually, they represent around 0.75 percent of the global economy.

He said the session afforded parliamentarians the opportunity to adopt the report of the 2023 first extraordinary session, reports of standing committees, joint committees and Ad Hoc committees.

‘I charge you once more to remain committed in the discharge of your venerable duties to the people of the ECOWAS sub-region that you represent’, Tunis said.

‘The supreme interest of the citizens of the community must always guide all decision-making processes to ensure that such decisions translate to growth and development in all spheres of their lives.

‘Let us remember that our success and progress are measured by the quality of life of our people’.

He also said the presence of ECOWAS partners emboldened parliamentarians with the political will to ensure the implementation of policies on regional integration.