DATA 3 12 2020 - NIGER JOUSE- CEDEAO -ABUJA
REPORT
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING FOR SWAIMS PROJECT
12th March 2020
Summary of Key Discussions, Conclusions and Action Points on the Agenda.
Introduction:
The meeting was co-chaired by the European Union Delegation (EUD) in Nigeria and the ECOWAS Commission with some participants using video conference (EUD and Human Dynamics). The ECOWAS Chair thanked the EU for its support and highlighted the need in addressing security threats in the region. The EUD Co-Chair expressed his delight in having the meeting and stated the reason why the EU has to limit its interaction due to the COVID19. Maritime security is a priority for the EU, and its new comprehensive strategy for Africa showcases its continued commitment to remain engaged in the continent, particularly the Gulf of Guinea. The EU is committed to supporting the Yaoundé architecture and making SWAIMS a success. He however cautioned the need to make steps towards the implementation of all the components of the SWAIMS project.
1. Adoption of Agenda
The proposed draft agenda was presented and adopted after amendments (annex.). The item “Presentation and Validation of the SWAIMS logo” was discussed and removed from the agenda. It was agreed that the EUD and ECOWAS’s respective communication and visibility teams would see the relevance of a specific logo for SWAIMS and, if necessary, review the logo proposed. 26 March 2020 was given as the deadline for feedback on this issue. The project management unit (PMU) must follow up. Clarity was sought on the presentation of the inception phase.
Then the issue of the meeting documents’ readiness was discussed. It was agreed that the documents of the Project steering committee (PSC) must be ready and sent to the participants two weeks prior to the meeting. In this respect, the EU and ECOWAS must fix the dates of the subsequent meetings promptly and with enough notice. This also applies to the Technical coordination committee (TCC). It was proposed that a tentative date of the upcoming PSC meeting be fixed during the meeting.
2. Presentation and validation of the mandate of the Steering Committee
The draft terms of reference of the PSC was presented and very light changes were made in it. It was asked to replace on the first objective (Objective a)) the word “Validating” with “Adopting”, since the PSC is supposed to adopt the workplan and annual budget. It does not validate them. The objective c) “Carrying out other steering activities as required” has been moved as the last objective.
The SWAIMS TAT was removed from the composition of the PSC, since the project management unit is the secretariat of the meetings.
After the aforementioned observations, the TORs of the PSC were agreed on.
3. Presentation and validation of the outcomes of the inception phase
3.1 Presentation and validation of the consolidated progress report
The consolidated progress report was not part of the documents distributed to the participants. The team leader (TL) presented the missions the SWAIMS Technical assistance team (TAT) has carried out since the beginning of its work on 14 January 2019. The TL read fiches showcasing the achievements and challenges of the components of the project apart from the issues related to the rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) and the facility supply presented later.
The meeting discussed and agreed on the following:
a) It was not easy to follow and see in the presentation the difference between the inception report and the progress report.
b) The report must be provided in hard copy.
c) The report must be result-based using standards.
d) The option to have a single consolidated report for the whole project makes it difficult to capture all the achievements of the other implementing actors of the project. The possibility should be given to each of them to present a report.
e) In the absence of KE2 in charge of the project coordination, TL should delegate activities to KE3 based in Abidjan.
f) The urgent need to proceed to the recruitment of the KE2 has been agreed on as a priority by all (Human Dynamics, ECOWAS and EUD). The letter related to the recruitment of the KE2 will be signed by ECOWAS relevant office within 24 hours.
g) the TAT must revise the six-monthly progress report before its adoption, 29th March is the deadline.
h) The TAT must prepare monthly reports.
The Chairman gave the opportunity to the program officer UNODC to do a presentation on the UNDOC achievements, his workplan is under revision due to COVID19.
Thus, the whole SWAIMS project must adjust its activities as long as the COVID19 issue remains unresolved.
3.2 Plano de trabalho proposto e orçamento
O avaliador-líder apresentou as atividades e o orçamento do plano de trabalho do ano II do SWAIMS TAT. Foram feitos comentários e discussões sobre o layout do plano de trabalho e a ausência das atividades realizadas pelos demais componentes do projeto.
As seguintes decisões foram tomadas:
a) O plano de trabalho (WP) deve estar alinhado com o modelo proposto pela EUD.
b) O WP deve integrar todas as atividades a serem realizadas por todos os componentes do projeto.
c) Apesar do COVID19 as licitações para os NKEs devem ser lançadas, pois esse processo pode ser demorado.
d) O prazo para revisão do WP, conforme recomendado, é 29 de março de 2020.
4. Apresentação e discussões sobre os resultados do projeto: Instalação de suprimentos e RHIBs
4.1 Instalação de abastecimento
Foram discutidos os desafios do concurso para instalação de abastecimento e foi recomendado o seguinte, tendo em vista que o prazo para perder o orçamento para esta atividade é setembro de 2020:
a) A CEDEAO (DPKRS) deve fornecer a lista do equipamento por centro à EUD e às Aquisições da CEDEAO no prazo de uma semana (19 de março de 2020).
b) SWAIMS Project management unit (PMU) deve fazer desta atividade uma prioridade para cumprir o prazo.
4.2 Alocação de barcos infláveis de casco rígido
Após a discussão sobre este tópico, foi acordado os seguintes pontos:
a) Os RHIBs não são designados para perseguir piratas, mas para ajudar as agências de aplicação da lei a responder a incidentes marítimos, incluindo crimes ambientais e para facilitar o processo contra os perpetradores por meio da coleta de evidências no local.
b) A CAMOES está preparada para fornecer os RHIBs mas aguarda da CEDEAO o plano da sua distribuição aos países.
c) Este plano de alocação será enviado pela CEDEAO à EUD até quinta-feira, 19 de março de 2020.
5. Revisão e adoção das conclusões da reunião
Os documentos apresentados e discutidos durante a reunião serão adotados após serem alterados conforme recomendado.
6. Discurso de encerramento
A EUD Nigéria agradeceu à CEDEAO pela co-presidência da reunião e pela flexibilidade durante os debates. Estendeu os seus agradecimentos à Human Dynamics e aos outros participantes. De acordo com a EUD, algum progresso foi feito na implementação do projeto, mas ainda há muito a fazer. O projeto terá sucesso se todos estiverem envolvidos nele.
A Human Dynamics agradeceu à CEDEAO e EUD e aos outros participantes.
A CEDEAO expressou a sua gratidão à EUD, à Human Dynamics e aos implementadores do projeto com um endereço especial para o UNODC.