SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR (DR.) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI, CON, PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE ON LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS FOR CONTAINMENT OF SMALL ARMS PROLIFERATION AND TERRORIST FINANCING IN ECOWAS – HELD AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, ABUJA, ON DECEMBER 7, 2017.

PROTOCOL.

1.I am pleased to be here today for this all-important one-day Parliamentary Conference organised by the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) in collaboration with the ECOWAS Parliament and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). I commend the spirit of collaboration that has led to the organising of this conference, being held under the auspices of the NILS Capacity Building Project (NILS-CAP), which is jointly funded by the National Assembly and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF). I fully expect that this same spirit of collaboration will show the way forward, as we work to rid the West African sub-region of the menace of small arms proliferation and terrorist financing.

2.The theme of this conference, ‘Legislative Actions for Containment of Small Arms Proliferation and Terrorist Financing in ECOWAS’ – speaks to a clear and present that threatens the peace and stability of the entire sub-region. It must be admitted that the problem of small arms and light weapons (SALW) has been with us in West Africa for a long time. It played a significant role in the fueling of crises in Liberia and other countries in the sub-region – including Mali and Niger. Closer to home for us in Nigeria, small arms and terrorist financing were among the chief factors in the intensification of the Boko Haram insurgency – with the untold human suffering it has created.

3.Even now, within the Nigerian territory, small arms proliferation is wreaking havoc in otherwise non-conflict situations. Kidnapping, inter-ethnic strife and a myriad of senseless killings are being enabled and escalated by the proliferation of these arms. According to the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC), the number of small arms and light weapons (SALW) currently in circulation in West Africa is in excess of 500 million. About 70 percent of these are in Nigeria – that is, over 350 million small arms on the loose in our country and in the hands of rampaging criminals. This is shocking, and the situation begs for urgent solutions.

4.Tied to all of these is the financing of terrorism networks that facilitate the trafficking in weapons, among other nefarious activities that serve to destabilise countries in the region and create humanitarian crises. Only a couple of months ago, over a thousand weapons were intercepted at the Lagos port in one operation by the Nigerian Customs; and similar smuggled small arms caches are being discovered regularly. What is clear, is that much more needs to be done.

5.The 8th National Assembly takes these issues very seriously indeed. A Bill is in the Senate, for an ACT to Amend the Firearms Act 2004, which would make provisions for the imposition of stiffer penalties, including fines, on those caught on the wrong side of the law with regard to small arms. It also provides for the destruction of arms, the recycling of waste generated from them, as well as other efforts aimed at complementing the wider fight against the proliferation of these arms.

6.My expectation for this conference today is that parliamentarians and stakeholders in the security sector across the region will utilise this important forum to share ideas about these issues; and look into ways of strengthening the policy and legal frameworks on security in the ECOWAS Member States – so that we can find practical and legislative solutions to the menace.

7.It is also my hope that all participants can agree on relevant mechanisms for compliance with those controls, treaties and protocols already in place to mitigate the twin evils of small arms proliferation and terrorist financing in the ECOWAS countries. I will be paying close attention to your deliberations, because the role of parliaments in finding the way forward, cannot be over-emphasised.

8.Thank you all for listening. I wish you successful deliberations robust enough to enhance the peace, security and development of West Africa.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE