Abuja: Mr. Traore Issouf, President of the West Africa Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAAPAC), has urged African nations to remove visa barriers to foster economic integration, trade, and interpersonal relations across borders. He made the call at the closing ceremony of WAAPAC’s 11th Annual Conference and General Assembly in Abuja.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, the theme for the week-long conference was ‘Strengthening Parliamentary Oversight of Public Debt.’ The conference brought together lawmakers from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Togo, and participants from South Africa.

Issouf urged national parliaments in West Africa to provide adequate funding for Public Accounts Committees and supreme audit institutions. The WAAPAC President emphasized their critical role in promoting transparency, curbing corruption, and preventing abuse of office.

He commended President Bola Tinubu and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, for the successful hosting of the regional conference. Issouf praised the Nigerian government for its hospitality and applauded the Nigerian Parliament for setting a benchmark in legislative accountability. “Nigeria has set a model for parliamentary standards in Africa. The planning and organization of this conference have been second to none,” Issouf stated.

He also lauded the Chairman of Nigeria’s House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Rep. Bamidele Salam, for his leadership, commitment, and dedication to the goals of WAAPAC.