The ECOWAS Commission has appointed a Nigerian, Haroun Harry Audu as communications expert, to oversee and execute the communication and visibility plan of a European Union-funded project in support to ECOWAS drug unit advocacy, monitoring and coordination capacities.

A statement signed by the principal program officer/project coordinator to the commission on law enforcement (drug), Daniel Akwasi Amankwaah and made available to newsmens explained that the project is to contribute to a reduction of drug abuse, illicit drug trafficking and related organized crime in West Africa.

Amankwaah stated that the specific objectives of the project include gradually establishing a sustained capacity within ECOWAS commission responsible for the overall coordination and monitoring of regional initiatives undertaken in the area of illicit drug trafficking, drug abuse and related organized crime problems.

Also the project, according to him, is to empower ECOWAS member states to implement selected national components of ECOWAS regional action plan to contribute to an effective coordinated regional response to drug abuse.

Audu is expected to ensure that the communication and visibility plan is seamlessly delivered to raise the awareness of the relevant stakeholders of the rationale for developing and implementing the project.