House to debate Reports of the Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources Committee next week .The East African Legislative Assembly yesterday adjourned the debate on the East African Community Service Commission Bill 2010 at the old Chambers in Parliament building, Nairobi.
Rwanda’s Minister for East African Community, Hon. Monique Mukaruliza, made the request for adjournment to allow more time for the Council of Ministers to seek for input from Partner States on the crucial Bill. So far, only the United Republic of Tanzania has submitted its comments on the EAC Service Commission Bill 2010.
The object of the Bill is to establish an East African Community Service Commission for the organs and institutions of the Community. It shall be responsible for making recommendations to the Council of Ministers on appointments of all staff of the organs and institutions of the Community, and on the terms and conditions of service; except where it is otherwise provided for in the Treaty or in an Act of the Community.
The Bill which was introduced in its original form by the Hon Dr. F. Lwetanyika Masha, MP, EALA, has 6 parts and two schedules.
Presenting his submissions on behalf of the Committee on Legal Rules and privileges, Hon. Augustine Lotodo, MP, EALA, noted the positive attributes of the Bill, stating that it aimed at strengthening the EAC through enhancing capacities by ensuring appointment of all staff and their corresponding terms and conditions of service. It further ensures equitability and equity in the staffing levels.
Meanwhile, the House is scheduled to debate Reports of the Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources. The three Reports are: The Report on the Regional Dialogue on Food Security in Eastern Africa, Report on the Regional Parliamentary symposium on Strategic Planning to address Climate Change; and the Report on Developing Mining Legal Frameworks in the East African Region.
Parliament convenes on Monday, January 31, 2010 for plenary.
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NOTE TO EDITORS ABOUT EALA
The East African Legislative Assembly is the legislative organ of the East African Community. Its Membership consists of a total of 52, of whom 45 are elected Members (9 from each Partner State) and seven ex-officio members (the Ministers responsible for EAC Affairs from the Partner States, the Secretary General of the Community and the Counsel to the Community).
The East African Legislative Assembly has legislative functions as well as oversight of all East African Community matters. The enactment of legislation of the Community is effected by means of Bills passed by the Assembly and assented to by the Heads of State, and every Bill that has been duly passed and assented to become an Act of the Community and takes precedent over similar legislations in the Partner States.
EALA in June 2010 launched its Strategic Plan and Website at its 5th Meeting of the third Session held in Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya respectively. The Strategic Plan is expected to go a long way to firmly entrench the EALA as the epitome of the Community’s democracy and unity. The EALA website www.eala.org provides the Assembly with the means to communicate actively with the citizens of East Africa and beyond and enhances public understanding of the legislature’s role and responsibilities.
For more information, contact
Bobi Odiko
Senior Public Relations Officer
East African Legislative Assembly
Tel: +255-27-2508240
Fax: +255-27-2503103
Cell: +255-787-870945
+254-733-718036
Email: BOdiko@eachq.org
Web: https://www.eala.org
