By CHIDI MATTHEW NWACHUKWU

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, has said that security and a conducive environment are necessary for economic growth and development in the West African sub-region.

He made the disclosure during the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff which commenced in Abuja yesterday.

Gen. Musa in his welcome address, harped on the need for collaboration amongst leaders of the Armed Forces of the respective ECOWAS countries towards forming a formidable force against insecurity and other threats to a progressive West African sub-region, adding that ?today?s threat are not only complex and adaptive,? but that ?they pervade and in cases traverse countries in the subregion.?

?As leaders of our respective armed/defence forces, we are aware that without a secure and conducive environment, economic growth and development will continue to elude our region.

?We must therefore support our political leadership by entrenching conducive and secure environment for economic development to thrive,? stated Gen. Musa.

Stating the agenda for the meeting, Gen. Musa noted that the issues that would dominate the discourse were the ones that derived from the military leaders? previous engagements which majorly include the review of pledges for an ECOWAS Standby Force.

?It is on this premise that the agenda for this meeting was carefully crafted to focus on critical areas while building from our previous engagements.

?Some of these critical areas include the proposed review of pledges for the ECOWAS Standby Force, consideration of pledges for ECOWAS Standby Force Counterterrorist Brigade, and the rotation of Staff Officers of Peace Support Operations Divisions, and ECOWAS Standby Force as well as Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea.

?Others are the presentation on the outcome of the Governmental Experts Meeting on the ECOWAS Logistics Concept and Standing Operating Procedures for ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi.

?The Meeting will also present and review the report of last Chiefs of Naval Staff Meeting. Furthermore, there will be a presentation on Standardisation of the Table of Equipment for the ECOWAS Standby Force,? stated the Defence Chief.

Gen. Musa further called on the Defence Chiefs to fully participate in the exchange of ideas as the meeting progressed, and urged them not to forget the sacrifices being constantly made by members of the Armed Forces in keeping their various territories safe and secured.

?As we embark on today?s discussions, I must remind all that your insights and experiences are paramount to our collective mission, while our sincerity and constructive commitments are essential for productive deliberations.

?To this end, I encourage us to enthusiastically exchange ideas and strategies during this meeting for the benefit of all.

?I also wish to enjoin you to always remember the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform and honour their dedication to maintaining peace,? stated the General.

The 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff which commenced yesterday, 11th March, is billed to last till tomorrow, the 13th. It is currently holding in Abuja, and is currently being chaired my Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa.

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