Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania, May 15-16, 2024 - The Rt. Hon. Joseph Ntakirutimana, Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), delivered an impactful speech at the 6th EAC Aviation Symposium organized by the EAC-Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (EAC-CASSOA). The symposium, held in Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania, brought together aviation experts, government officials, and stakeholders to discuss the future of aviation in the East African Community (EAC).
In his remarks, the Speaker highlighted the vital role that the EALA plays through the Communication, Trade and Investment Committee (CTI), which oversight and reports to the House on the status of implementation of the provisions of the Treaty in member states. This creates an enabling environment for the growth and development of the aviation sector in the EAC region.
The Speaker highlighted the challenges facing the aviation industry in the region, citing high cost of air tickets between member states. For instance, the cost of air ticket from Kinshasa in DRC to Arusha costs over 2000USD. This makes the cost of air tickets within the East African region exceeds by far those from the region to Europe or to the Middle East. This hampersthe movement of Goods, People, Labour, Services and Capital among EAC member states as stipulated in the Common Market Protocol. He lauded the efforts and progress made by CASSOA in making air travel within the region safe, efficient and secure.
In his concluding remarks, The Speaker urged members to works towards reviving the defunct East African Airways of the collapsed Community in order for the region to reclaim its former glory in the aviation space and that EALA, through its cardinal functions of legislation, representation, and oversight, remains dedicated to supporting the growth and development of a resilient, sustainable, innovative, safe, and secure aviation industry in the EAC region.
The Speaker expressed confidence in the success of the 6th EAC Aviation Symposium and the meaningful discussions and innovative solutions that will emerge from this gathering of aviation experts and stakeholders.
For more information,
please contact:
Nicodemus Ajak Bior
Senior Public Relations Officer (SPRO)
East Africa Legislative Assembly
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255-768-885-633/, +254729157207(WhatsApp)
Email: nbior@eachq.org
Web: www.eala.org
