East African Legislative Assembly; Arusha, Tanzania; 05 April 2016: EALA Speaker, Rt. Hon Daniel F. Kidega open remarks on the debrief of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) on the completion of EALA programmes from 2012 to 2016.
Rt. Hon Kidega expressed his appreciation to WFD for its dedication, commitment and contribution towards the regional integration process through enhancement of EALA’s three core tier role of representation, oversight and legislation. This was done through the several programmes that were developed and run by WFD and EALA which included: establishment of EALA’s Public Relation Office; creation and implementation of EALA’s Strategic Plan (2013-2018); designing and development of a monitoring framework for the EALA Strategic Plan; training of departmental heads on its application; formulation of a standardized approach of Committee Management of the Assembly staff with reference material; capacity building for Members and Staff; and increased interest of Civil Society Organization (CSOs) in the representation, oversight and legislative work of the Assembly.
Rt. Hon. Kidega made these remarks at Kibo Palace Hotel in Arusha Tanzania. The debrief was attended by the Programme Officer (WFD) Africa, Ms. Charlotte Egan, Regional Finance Officer (WFD) East Africa, Ms. Beverly Kaluli, Former Programme Manager (WFD), Mr. Kennedy Akolo, AWEPA representative, Ms. Tine Hemelings, East African Community Civil Society Forum (EACSOF), EAC Youth Ambassadors, EAC Youth Club from Institute of Accountancy Arusha, Journalists and EALA Staff.
The EALA Speaker remarked that WFD has worked hand in hand with EALA on positioning its work to the citizens of East Africa, which has left a great impact on EALA and urged WFD to continue net working with EALA and always remember it in case any opportunity arises.
“In today’s world you can have all what you are doing but if you cannot position yourself to the public you have done nothing.” Rt. Hon Speaker noted that. “It’s not wise to wipe off your foot prints whenever you have passed particularly when the prints are large,” Rt. Hon. Kidega further noted.
Rt. Hon Speaker together with the WFD team launched a new interactive EALA website to strengthen the integration process. The new interactive website has positioned EALA as the champions of regional integration and attracted more support for EALA programmes which will sustain commitment towards deepening and widening regional integration.
The Speaker and the WFD team also launched educational animated videos in English, Kiswahili and French which have been uploaded to the EALA website and broadcasted on National Television Stations in Partner States as a way for citizens to engage with the Assembly and its work. The Television Stations include Tanzania Broadcasting Cooperation (TBC) in Tanzania, National Television (NTV) and QTV in Kenya, National Television (NTV) in Uganda and Rwanda Television (RTV) in Rwanda.
Through its collaboration with WFD, EALA has gained a significant increase in the people who follow EALA activities either through social media interaction, or via petitions submitted to the Assembly regarding EAC integration. The Assembly has improved the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for better public information dissemination and also carrying out enhanced outreach programs that promote public participation in EALA activities.
Despite the aforementioned achievements in the recent past, challenges are still abound. These include lack of effective mechanisms to create awareness of the provisions of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC; lack of enforcement mechanisms of Community laws, Assembly’s and Resolutions recommendations.
-ENDS-
Mr Bobi Odiko
Senior Public Relations Officer
East African Legislative Assembly
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255-27-2508240
Fax: +255-27-2503103
Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036
Email: BOdiko@eachq.org
Web: www.eala.org
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