FG seeks unified database for ECOWAS members on migration, border management
The Federal Government has advocated the need for a unified database for members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on migration and border management. The Minister of
The Federal Government has advocated the need for a unified database for members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on migration and border management.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the establishment of a unified ECOWAS Information System has become imperative considering the dynamics of border management, security and economic opportunities.
Dr Tunji-Ojo made the call during a high level meeting with Ministers in Charge of Immigration and Border Management within the ECOWAS on Wednesday in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.
The Minister said at the moment there was no structure for database within the ECOWAS system for data management, thereby necessitating the need for an integrated platform.
Dr Tunji-Ojo said, “What we can do realistically is to be able to create an integrated platform where we can integrate all these solutions and be able to have a shared solution.
“Because if we keep issuing cards, training people on issue of how to identify and detect fraudulent cards, to a large extent we are also wasting and undermining the power of technology.
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“So the whole idea why some of these things are QR-coded is for them to be easily verified.
“So if we have this database, even for our visa, for residency and other things, it will be a source of truth for the processes.
“With an information system, we don't need to start afresh by getting this data, so all we need to do is integrate this data on a sub-regional basis and that will give us a supranational database."
The Minister emphasised that it is important for the funding of borders to be prioritised, bearing in mind that allocations has to be in line with each countries border realities.
“I want to advise that we shouldn’t be specific to say this percentage is for national border; for some countries, there are other things that are more context for individual countries than others.
“Border is more economic than security for some of these countries. So what will be given or what will be allocated has to be in line with the realities,” he said.
In a statement signed by the Media Adviser to the Minister, Mr Alao Babatunde, the Minister noted that it would be better for ECOWAS to have decentralised capacity building institutions to cater for specific academic needs of member states.
“Let’s ensure efficiency, excellence and viability of these institutions,” he said.
The minister further said that there was need to look into the yellow paper card mandatory requirement for travel and exemptions to specific regions
He called for continuous collaboration among Ministers' of Interior and political heads in internal security management, stating, "If there's a weakness in one country, it has a way of affecting the other country, hence, we must share opinions and be able to work together."
