The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is soon to embark on an initiative that shall see the regional Parliament and the local governments’ authorities work together to broadly sensitise the rural populace about the EAC. Affiliate yourselves to the EAC, EALA Speaker tells umbrella body of local governments’ authorities
The Speaker of EALA, the Rt. Hon Abdirahin Abdi has maintained that through EALA Chapters, the Assembly shall also enhance co-operation with local authorities in its desire to pursue a broad spectrum of people-centredness – that forms part of the hallmark of its mandate. Rt. Hon Abdi made the remarks when he delivered a keynote address at the meeting of the third Governing Council of the East African Local Governments Association (EALGA) held in Arusha earlier today.
“EALA counts on you as one of the major allies, because you have a feel what our local wananchi want and therefore epitomize their different aspirations”, Hon Abdi said.
The Speaker hailed the recent study undertaken by EALGA on the Common Market Protocol and its impact on cross-border governance issues, noting that it offered useful insights on the subject.
“What I can assure you at this juncture is that EALA’s various committees will take up the recommendations therein so that they become matters of the EAC Summit; the Council and other EAC decision making bodies’, he said, while urging EALGA to apply for consideration as an Observer organization (Observer Status) at the EAC, so as to further push its agenda at the regional level.
The Speaker noted that EALGA continued to pursue accountability and transparency in matters related to service delivery in a remarkable way. He termed service delivery an essential component of local governance which if properly managed leads to the embodiment of the aspirations of the local communities.
Let me reiterate that as an Assembly, we cherish the good work that the local government associations are doing in concert with EALGA and these will lay a firm foundation for implementing the key pillars of EAC’s integration agenda. Fortunately, Article 7 of the Treaty establishing the EAC provides that the principles that shall govern the practical achievement of the objectives of the Community shall include the principle of subsidiarity with emphasis on multi-level participation and involvement of a wide-range of stakeholders in the process of integration.
Speaking earlier, the Regional Commissioner for Arusha region, Mr. Isidore Shirima hailed the efforts by the local authorities in the region in carrying out their constitutional and legal responsibilities in providing services despite the dwindling fortunes occasioned by the economic melt-down. He said decentralization by devolution was of absolute importance as it would bring the citizens of the region at the centre stage of development.
The Regional Commissioner urged the local authorities under EALGA to concert efforts to address various challenges, noting the economic melt-down was a major deterrent to delivery of adequate service as it limited the ability of the Partner States to generate revenue.
In attendance were government leaders and officials, representatives of Development Partners, representatives from regional and global organizations such as the Municipal Partnership for Development for East and Southern Africa (MDP-ESA) and the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA).
The EALGA held elections that saw Councillor (Mr) Taraiya Ole Kores elected Chairman of EALGA. Hon Didas Massaburi (also EALA Member) was elected the Vice Chairman of EALGA.
The EALGA Assembly commenced on Wednesday, 3 August, 2011 with the Secretaries General Meeting. Yesterday, the plenary received and considered various reports of the EALGA activities for the period 2010-2011. It was also expected to approve the Annual Plan and Budget for 2011-2012.
The Governing Council of EALGA winds up its business tomorrow -August 6, 2011.
-Ends-
For more Information, contact: Bobi Odiko, Senior Public Relations Officer; East African Legislative Assembly; Tel: +255-27-2508240 Cell: +255 787 870945, +254-733-718036; Email: bodiko@eachq.org Web: https://www.eala.org Arusha, Tanzania
NOTES TO EDITORS
East African Local Governments Association (EALGA) is an umbrella Organisation of National Associations of Local Governments Authorities in Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda with its Secretariat based in Arusha, Tanzania. The Associations forming EALGA are the Association Burundais de Elus Locaux (ABELO), Association of Local Government Authorities of Kenya (ALGAK), Rwandese Local Government Association (RALGA), the Association of Local Authorities of Tanzania (ALAT) and the Uganda Local Government Association (ULGA). .
The EALGA Governing Council is the highest decision and policy making body of EALGA. The Council is constituted by Members of the Executive Committee of local government associations from the Partner States.
