(Abuja, May 8, 2019:)The Fourth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament on Wednesday, May 8, 2018, commenced its First Ordinary Session for the year2019at the Parliament’s Seat in Abuja, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to a release from the Liberian Embassy in Abuja, the convening of the 2019First Ordinary Session is in line with the stipulations of Article 27 of the Supplementary Act of the Parliament which provides that the ‘Parliament shall meet twice a year in Ordinary Session’.

The sub-regional parliamentary group consists of115parliamentarians and legislators from ECOWAS’ 15 Member Stateswhorepresent the region’s over 320 million people.

Liberia has five of them, including Bomi County’s Representative, Honorable Edwin M. Snowe, Jr. who is the head of the Liberian Delegation, Nimba County’s Senator, HonorablePrince Y. Johnson who is the Third Deputy Speaker for the ECOWAS Parliament, andLofa County’s Senator,Honorable Stephen J. H. Zargo.

RepresentativesClarence K.M. Massaquoiand Hajah F. Siryon of Lofa and Bomi Counties respectivelycomplete the list of the Liberian ECOWAS Parliamentarian Delegation, according to the release.

Ambassador Al-Hassan Conteh and a host of other guests, including members of the Diplomatic Corps and officials from other ECOWAS Institutions graced Wednesday’s brief opening ceremony.

The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Honorable Moustapha Cisse Lo of Senegal, in his opening address, recounted progress made by the regional parliamentarian group amidst challenges.

“ECOWAS has made giant strive in the integration process of the sub region, though lots need to be made in this direction”, he remarked.

The Speaker also mentioned the holding of successful presidential elections in Nigeria and Senegal respectively, as well as parliamentarian elections elsewhere in the region, including Togo.

Speaker Cisse Lo also revealed that the Parliament will hold interactive sessions with partners during the month-long session which will also witness discussions on the terms of reference for parliamentarian missions and consideration of reports from other ECOWAS institutions.

The release also quotes the President of ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, as reinforcing the Speaker’s remarks on ECOWAS’ progress and challenges.

“ECOWAS will continue to strengthen its intervention mechanism in order to maintain regional peace and stability”, Mr. Brou stated.

Admitting to the many challenges in the sub region, he however added that ECOWAS will continue to address these many challenges.

The First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament will continue until June 3, 2019, the release concludes.