Perception, Impact and Challenges of Ecowas Protocol on free Movement of Persons, Goods, Residence and Establishment

Abstract

Agwu N U, Ogali M D

The study assessed the Perception, Impact and Challenges of ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement. Cross-Sectional research design with the aid of descriptive statistical method was adopted. The study population was made up of security agents of Nigeria and Benin Republic. Traders, Transporters and Residents of the Seme border community. Purposive Sampling method was adopted for sampling the population. Seme-Krake border was selected as the major study area because of its peculiarity to the research topic. The research involved administration of questionnaires, interviews, and observations that are vital to the research. Data Analytical technique was the adopted descriptive statistical approach. The study revealed that the implementation of the protocol, has produced mixed results. It also revealed the level of per- ception of the protocol among border officials and other critical stakeholders, and the emerging challenges facing the free trade program of ECOWAS Furthermore it was recommended that the ECOWAS protocol should be promoted by member States via conferences, seminars, campaigns and the use of electronic and print media, as this would achieve a high level of awareness, and in the long run enhance economic and security growth of the sub region.

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