(a) What is an economic grouping? (b) State three objectives of each of the following organizations I) Lake Chad Basin Commission ii) ECOWAS Iii) Niger Basi...

(a) Meaning of an economic grouping

An economic grouping (or economic community) is an association of two or more independent countries, usually within the same geographical region, that come together to promote closer economic co-operation among their members. Such groupings aim at removing trade barriers, encouraging the free movement of goods, services, capital and persons, and pursuing joint development projects for the mutual economic benefit of the member states. Examples in Africa include ECOWAS, the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Niger Basin Commission.

(b) Three objectives of each organisation

(I) Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC)

• To regulate and control the use of the water and other natural resources of the Lake Chad Basin among member states.
• To prevent disputes and promote co-operation over the shared water resources of the basin.
• To initiate and coordinate joint development projects such as irrigation, fishing and agriculture for the benefit of member countries.

(ii) ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States)

• To promote economic co-operation and integration among West African states, leading eventually to an economic union.
• To ensure the free movement of goods, services, capital and persons across member states by removing trade and immigration barriers.
• To establish a common external tariff and promote joint development in industry, transport, agriculture and energy.

(iii) Niger Basin Commission (Niger Basin Authority)

• To promote co-operation among member states in the development and use of the water resources of the River Niger basin.
• To coordinate joint projects such as navigation, irrigation, hydroelectric power generation and flood control.
• To harmonise national development policies affecting the basin so as to avoid conflict and ensure sustainable use of shared resources.