Technical assistance to ECOWAS Secretariat and UEMOA Commission – 9th EDF Transport Facilitation Project

Project details
Country: 
Regional
Beneficiary: 
ECOWAS and UEMOA Commissions
Donor organisation: 
European Commission (EC)
Associated enterprises: 
NEA transport research and training
Department: 
Transport & Mobility
Project volume: 
5,359,658 €
Currency: 
€
Value of services: 
4,823,692 €
Start of project: 
March, 2007
End of project: 
March, 2012
Project background: 

Following consultations between EC, ECOWAS and UEMOA, it was agreed that resources of the 9th Regional Indicative Programme would be allocated to reduce constraints in the trans-border movements of passengers, goods and vehicles and in order to enhance regional integration and reduce poverty in West Africa. The main expected output from the implementation of the project was the implementation of a Regional Transport and Road Transit Facilitation Programme of West Africa to the satisfaction of the member states, institutions of regional integration, and of the European Commission.

Service description: 

Major fields of activity:

  • To ensure proper technical, operational and financial management of the direct labour component of the 9 EDF Transport Facilitation Programme;

  • To assist in the financial preparation and implementation of the transport facilitation programme and to cover various activities related to the transport sectors;

  • To manage and implement the Transportation Facilitation Project in line with EDF procedures; and

  • To define a West African Transport Sector Strategy (WATSS) and an action plan, drawing useful lessons from the strategy and action plan developed by UEMOA.

Specific activities in the road, aviation, maritime and railway sectors:

  • To assist ECOWAS and UEMOA in carrying out studies, data collection, reform programmes, harmonisation and simplification of procedures, safety improvements, actions to promote free movement of people and goods, enlightenment seminars and workshops and activities towards better integration of aspects like HIV/AIDS, environment and gender;

  • To ensure participation of non-state actors; and

  • To ensure visibility of EC / West Africa cooperation.

Objectives: 

The objective of the project was the reduction of poverty across the region, and the integration of the West African States in the world economy by a comprehensive programme of actions. Specifically, the project aimed to improve regional transport in order to reduce costs and to facilitate free movements of persons and to ensure fluidity of inter-regional exchanges, which is a basic condition of regional integration. The strategy envisaged for the improvement of the transport system focused on the removal of the non-tariff obstacles so as to allow unimpeded movement of people and goods.

Result: 
  1. ECOWAS and UEMOA receive technical assistance in the implementation of the Regional Transport Facilitation Project;
  2. The 9th EDF – Transport Facilitation Project for West Africa is managed according to the Financing Agreement and in line with EC procedures;
  3. Programme estimates, tender dossiers (for works, supervision of works, supply tenders e.g. for the joint border posts to be constructed) and contracts are prepared and awarded according to the Practical Guide to Contract Procedures for EC External Actions;
  4. All activities are coordinated with ECOWAS Secretariat, UEMOA Commission and the Transport Unit at ECOWAS;
  5. Coordination among all donors in the transport sector takes place;
  6. Financial resources are used according to the EDF procedures (documents for all commitments, payments, cheques, bank transfer orders, disbursement authorisations, requests for replenishment and for closure and any recoveries are adequately prepared);
  7. The team of experts provides effective support to the two regional organisations in the preparation and implementation of the programme;
  8. All studies foreseen within the scope of the financing agreement are carried out;
  9. All sensitisation and information campaigns foreseen within the scope of the financing agreement are prepared and organised; and
  10. The TA unit facilitates coordination between ECOWAS and UEMOA throughout the projects implementation.
Currency: 
€