Abuja, Nigeria - The ECOWAS Commission Wednesday announced the death of its pioneer Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Mines, Tourism and Free Movement of Persons and Goods, Mohammed B. Daramy. A statement from the commission, made available to PANA here, said Daramy died in an Abuja hospital on Tuesday, 12 July, after a brief illness. Commissioner Daramy, a Sierra Leonean, had over 29 years experience in Industry, the private sector and in government, including as Minister of Labour, Trade, Transport, Finance and later Development and Economic Planning of his country for 11 years before becoming a Commissioner at the ECOWAS Commission in 2007.

'As a Commissioner, Alhaji Mohammed Daramy distinguished himself in his sterling contributions to the pursuit of the regional integration agenda of the ECOWAS Commission and other Community Institutions and also by providing quality leadership to Departments under his supervision,' the ECOWAS statement said.

He was a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Internal Auditor.

He is survived by his widow Hadja Fatmata Turay Daramy, their three children and other relatives.

In his tribute, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, described Daramy as an irreplaceable asset to the Commission and the Community, a straight and honest player with a great sense of humour.

On behalf of the Staff of the Commission and other Community Institutions, President Gbeho expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Commissioner and prayed God to grant them the courage and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Pana 14/07/2011