Mukaruliza Presents EAC Budget Estimates to EALA

The Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the East African Community and Minister for EAC Affairs of the Republic of Rwanda...

The Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the East African Community and Minister for EAC Affairs of the Republic of Rwanda, Hon. Monique Mukaruliza today Thursday, 21 May, 2009 at 2.30 PM (GMT+02:00) presented the East African Community (EAC) Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2009/2010 to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) presided over by the Speaker, Hon Abdi Haithar Abdi at the National Assembly Bujumbura, Burundi. The budget is structured under the theme “Strategic priorities to deepen EAC integration, towards a Common Market and Monetary Union”.

In her budget statements, Hon. Monique Mukaruliza gave a brief progress and situation report on EAC Regional issues related to the following:
i. Consolidating the Customs Union;
ii. Finalizing Negotiations of the East African Common Market Protocol; and launching of the Protocol;
iii. Promoting EAC trade and investments, including EPA Negotiations;
iv. Concretizing regional projects and programmes in various sectors: prioritizing infrastructure development
v. Laying the foundations for the Monetary Union;
vi. Intensifying activities under Political Federation agenda and co-operation in Political Affairs; and
vii. Streamlining and strengthening Organs’ coordination, financial and administrative systems and operations for an efficient and effective EAC.

According to Hon. Monique Makaruliza, the Budget estimates for Financial Year 2009/ 2010 total USD 54,257,291. This Budget exceeds the previous approved Budget by 34% (USD 40,499,096). A brief Summary of the Budget is as follows:

  • Personnel Emoluments USD 16,719,628 (30.8%)
  • Recurrent Expenditure USD 10,114,063 (18.6%) and
  • Development Expenditure USD 27,423,600 (50.6%)

The Budget has been allocated to the Organs/Institution as follows: East African Community Secretariat, US Dollars 25,655,155; Defence Liaison Unit, USD 1,939,113; Customs and Trade, USD 2,982,096; East African Legislative Assembly, USD 8,573,761; East African Court of Justice, USD 2,868,613; and Lake Victoria Basin Commission, USD 12,238,553.

Following discussions with the General Purpose Committee, a decision was taken to allocate from the Secretariat Budget US$ 438,000 to fund one activity for each of the seven Committees of EALA. This budget line will be reviewed further in the next Financial Year.

The Budget is to be financed by contribution from Partner States, USD 27,966,699; development partners’ contribution, USD 26,223,665; and Miscellaneous Income, USD 66,927. The Secretariat will be seeking the support of development partners to cover the shortfall in the Budget required to execute the planned activities of the Secretariat in the Financial Year 2009/2010.

Meanwhile, the Assembly on Wednesday, 20 May, 2009 received for adoption, the report by the Select Committee established by the House on the 18th February 2009 during its 47th Sitting, 4th Meeting of the Assembly,2nd Session,2nd Assembly to investigate the circumstances under which the 4th Meeting of the 2nd Session of the 2nd Assembly was temporarily suspended. The five Members Committee led by Hon. Clackson Otieno Karan was also mandated to look into the trend of the Financial Remittances from the Partner States to EAC for the Financial Year 2007/2008 and 2008/2009.

Steve M. Machage
Public Relations Officer
East African Legislative Assembly
P.O. Box 1096
Arusha, TANZANIA

East African Legislative Assembly, Kigali, Rwanda

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