Reps, Niger parliament signs MoU on security, economic and political coperation

Members of the Nigerian House of Representatives and their counterparts in the National Assembly of the Republic of Niger have vowed to worked together to tackle common challenges faced by both countries especially that of security in the Lake Chad basin.

The two parliaments also pledged to foster a more harmonious diplomatic relationship. This was made known on Friday when both parliaments issued a joint communique, which was signed by Speaker Yakubu Dogara and the president of the Nigerien National Assembly, Ousseini Tinni, respectively, according to a statement issued by spokesman to the speaker, Turaki Hassan.

The Nigerian parliamentary delegation is currently on a working visit to Nigeria, and both parliaments have had working sessions which explored political, security, economic and social areas of collaboration, with emphasis on examining root causes of terrorism and providing actionable solutions. Both chambers - which recognised the efforts of the Executive in figting terrorism - also called for global support in the war against insurgency.

Speaking further, chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs - Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje - who read the communique, announced that both parliaments would pay a joint visit to troops at the war front, subject to advice and adequate apparaisal of the situation by both country's security forces. They also urged their respective countries to activate the agreement on reciprocal investment in order to promote trade between the two nations.

The Nigerian and Nigerien parlaiments will also be tackling environmental challenges regarding desertification and climate change in the Lake Chad Basin, and resolved to set up a consultative framework between both parliamentary instiutions.

Speaking during the presentation, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, stressed the need for increased cooperation between African countries, stating that: "For Africa to make progress, none of our countries should be an island."

"Everything we have said is crystallised in the document we have just signed and now, we need the wisdom, strength and courage to see resolutions in the document through, as that is the only way that engagement can be sustained", the Speaker said.

Dogara also announced that a delegation from the House would soon pay a reciprocal working visit to the Nigerien National Assembly, and assured the delegation of President Buhari's willingness to support the agreements reached.