In a bid to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in contract management, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has convened a Capacity Building Workshop on Control and Vetting of Contracts......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>
The initiative aims to strengthen institutional frameworks, improve project execution, and ensure compliance with international best practices across all ECOWAS institutions.
The three-day workshop, held in Lagos, brought together key officers from various ECOWAS bodies, including the Office of the Auditor-General (ECOWAS Institutions), ECOWAS Parliament, ECOWAS Court of Justice, and the Directorate of Administration & General Services.
This diverse participation underscores the regional bloc’s commitment to fostering a more efficient and transparent procurement process.
One of the primary objectives of the workshop is to identify and eliminate bottlenecks that delay the timely signing and execution of contracts.
Participants engaged in in-depth discussions to map out the challenges in the contract review process and propose solutions that will standardize and expedite contract approvals.
To achieve this, the workshop is focusing on developing a Control Checklist—a structured guideline that will help streamline contract processes across all ECOWAS institutions.
This checklist, according to the Commission is expected to set clear standards for the vetting and review of contracts, particularly those funded by donors and the ECOWAS Community.
Beyond procedural efficiency, the initiative reinforces ECOWAS’ commitment to good governance, financial prudence, and transparency.
By implementing a robust contract management framework, the organization seeks to reduce financial mismanagement risks, prevent procurement fraud, and enhance accountability at all levels.
Key administrative, financial, and legal representatives from various ECOWAS institutions are actively participating in the workshop to ensure a collaborative and cross-functional approach in enhancing internal control mechanisms.
Their contributions will be instrumental in aligning contract management procedures with global best practices, donor requirements, and regional development goals.
This capacity-building effort, approved by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, marks another crucial step in strengthening the efficiency of ECOWAS institutions.
By improving contract review processes, the regional body aims to boost the effectiveness of its projects and programs, ensuring that development initiatives within the West African region are executed smoothly and with maximum impact.
As ECOWAS continues to evolve in its administrative and financial operations, experts said such initiatives play a vital role in enhancing institutional capacity, promoting transparency, and fostering economic growth across its member states.