The EALA Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abdirahin H. Abdi met a delegation of Parliamentarians from Uganda led by the Leader of Opposition, Hon. Prof Ogenga Latigo, in Arusha on Monday, March 21, 2011.
The Rt. Hon Speaker called on the National Assemblies in the Partner States to work towards instituting mechanisms that shall see the respective Parliaments and parliamentarians effectively debate regional integration matters in the House.
“I challenge Parliamentarians to go “regional in mind and thought”. In fact, they need not only debate more on the EAC, but likewise, they should lead the process of trickling the regional integration message to their constituents”, the Speaker noted. He said the Speakers’ Forum had been set up to among other things enable collaboration with National Assemblies as was the same case with the annual Inter-Parliamentary Relations Seminar, commonly referred to as the Nanyuki Series.
At the same time, the Hon. Speaker urged National Assemblies to set up Parliamentary Committees charged with EAC affairs that shall scrutinize reports and keep their Assemblies abreast of the happenings in the region.
On his part, Hon. Prof Latigo hailed EALA for the progress it had realized and the process so far engaged in to enthuse integration. “Regional integration is a long and tedious journey – but one that is inspiring nevertheless”, Prof Latigo noted.
Prof Latigo urged the Partner States to harness their diversities and unlock the free spirit so that the region can integrate faster, noting that other parts of the continent and the rest of the world were keen on developments happening in East Africa.
Prof Latigo was accompanied by the Chairperson of the Committee on Social Services, Hon.Dr. Brian Asiimwe and two officials of the Parliament of Uganda, Messrs. James Mukaga and Andrew Kalinaki. In attendance also was the Clerk of EALA, Mr. Kenneth Madete.
Prof Latigo and his team also toured the construction of the new EAC Headquarters and later met with the EAC Deputy Secretary General (Political Federation), Hon Beatrice Kiraso. Other organizations visited included the East Africa Law Society and the East African Business Council (EABC).
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For More Information contact Bobi Odiko, Senior Public Relations Officer
East African Legislative Assembly. Cell: +255-787-870945 +254-733-718036
Email: BOdiko@eachq.org
