APA - Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) The Council of Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) endorsed Saturday in Ouagadougou, the proposed creation of a Regional Authority for the Regulation of Electricity and an ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.

The ministerial meeting approved the document, which falls within the framework of an action plan aimed at finding a lasting solution to the energy deficits of countries in the sub-region.

The regulatory authority to be set up soon would promote "free and transparent" trade in a bid to improve people’s supply in energy products.

The ministers also recommended the implementation of the Transport Facilitation Program, which was adopted in 2003 in Accra.

This involves the construction of common positions-borders for trans-border free movement and adoption of a rehabilitation and interconnection policy of railways between member countries, the final document said.

As for the airline integration in West Africa, the ministers further recommended support to the private airline A-Sky, a move that was voiced in January in Ouagadougou.

The company has a $120 million capital, of which 80% is distributed among private investors and 20% held by public financial institutions A-Sky was expected to start its activities at the end of this year but its maiden flight is still awaited.

source: APA