ECOWAS MPs decry increased shortfall in community levy remittances

Members of Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Parliament) have expressed concerns over increased shortfalls in community levies’ remittance by some member countries.

This was revealed during the closing ceremony of the two-day induction session for members of the ECOWAS Parliament presided over by the Speaker, Memounatou Ibrahima, as part of the ongoing 2024 Third Extraordinary Session of the 6th Legislature in Lome, Togo.

The Director of Finance and Administration of the ECOWAS Parliament (DAF), Anna Jagne, lamented that 2024 is the worst year in recent history in terms of the compliance by some member countries of ECOWAS in the remittance of levies.

She stressed that the development has serious implications on the operations of the regional bloc.

Article 40 of the Financial Regulations of ECOWAS outlines the Community Levy as the principal source of revenue for the Community. The levy is a 0.5 per cent tax imposed on goods from non-ECOWAS member states. It constitutes between 70 and 90 per cent of the ECOWAS budget.

Speaking about the troubling development on the sidelines of the induction session, Nigerian Member of Parliament, Awaji InombekAbiante, attributed the difficulty in remitting the levy by some West African countries to the dwindling economic fortunes of the States and paucity of funds amid pressing domestic needs.

Member of Parliament from The Gambia, DarboAlhagie, on her part, said that more pressure should be mounted on countries that defaulted in payment.

“We need to know those that have defaulted and ensure that at the level of parliament we can encourage our countries to pay the levy otherwise the implication will be dire on the operations of the Community.

“If countries are not paying their levy, it is going to affect the operations of the Parliament and other ECOWAS institutions in general,” she said.

Declaring the induction session closed, the Speaker, MemounatouIbrahima, said the session was a milestone in the history of the ECOWAS institutions.

“This session has deepened the knowledge of the functions and roles of ECOWAS institutions, the members of parliament and their privileges. We are the custodians of the aspiration of our people. These resources are a treasure for the work of the ECOWAS institutions and I express my sincere appreciation for your active participation and for your deep reflections,” she said.