Members of the Press: Good Morning and thank you for attending the Media briefing called to inform you and the East African citizens of the activities of EALA since we arrived here in Kigali on April 10th, 2013, I wish to bring to your attention the following:
1. Members inspected a number of development projects in Kigali and up-country on April 11-13, 2013. The tour which was organised by the Office of the Prime Minister in the Republic of Rwanda, included visits to: the Muhanga Concession mining in Muhanga District, Kinazi Cassava Plant in Nyanza District and the Kigali Special Economic zone. EALA also toured the East Africa Granite Industries in Nyagatare. In addition, we participated in commemorative activities marking the 19th Anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi at the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Museum and at Rebero.
This was a key part of our Sitting in Kigali since it enabled Members to be informed and also places EALA at a vantage position when it comes to legislation and when strengthening collaboration with the citizens of Rwanda.
2. H.E. President Paul Kagame opened the Plenary Meeting on April 16, 2013. President Kagame reiterated that it was time for the EAC region to contribute to the unity of the larger continental bloc, affirming that such dividends were necessary for a united Africa. The President was categorical that such a move would ensure that Africa taps into further economic growth and enable a stronger voice in the international arena. The President however reiterated the need for the region to address existing weaknesses as it explores the continental move.
The President cited a number of challenges as the integration process progresses including emphasis on the free movement of people, labour and services, which have not been fully or evenly implemented across the region are urgently addressed. The delay, he noted, had caused business people, investors and ordinary East Africans immense frustration. The President further called for the implementation of a single customs authority to spur trade in the region. The President’s speech was in our view, progressive and set the momentum for the Plenary.
3. Yesterday, the Chair of the Summit for the EAC Heads of State, President Yoweri Museveni addressed the Assembly where he among other things, reiterated the need for the region to resolve existing strategic bottlenecks if the EAC is to spur integration and to enable citizens enjoy the accrued benefits. The President maintained that it was time for the region to eye political unity as a stabilising factor to development and called on the East African Legislative Assembly to use its legislative agenda and mandate to support the same. The Head of State affirmed that during his tenure as the Chairperson of the Summit, he would prioritise on infrastructure development to enable the region take its flight to the next level.
4. During the Sitting, EALA passed the following Motions, Resolutions and Bills:
a) the One Stop Border Post (OSBP), Bill, 2012 which envisages One Stop Border Posts in the Community in order to facilitate the efficient movement of goods and people within the Community. Partner States shall implement one stop border processing arrangements by establishing and designating control zones at the respective border posts. This shall remove bureaucracies at the borders and facilitate free movement. The OSBP Bill, 2012 originally envisages 15 common border posts within the 5 Partner States.
Ideally, we look forward to a time when the entire region shall benefit.
b) A Motion for a Resolution advocating for the elimination of work permit fees for citizens of the region in the spirit of enhancing free movement of workers. In this respect, the Assembly commended the Republics of Kenya and Rwanda for taking the first steps in eliminating the work permit fees for the citizens of the EAC and urged the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Burundi and the Republic of Uganda to emulate the same spirit. The Motion takes cognisance of the fact that Article 76 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC recognises that within the Common Market, there shall be free movement of labour, goods, services, capital and the right of establishment. Article 10 of the Common Market Protocol on its part, guarantees that Partner States should provide for free movement of workers, who are citizens of the other Partner States within their territories.
c) A Resolution to Commemorate the Genocide against the Tutsi and urging the EAC Council of Ministers to designate April 7 every year, as the EAC Day of Reflection on Genocide against the Tutsi. EALA declared its solidarity with the people and the Government of Rwanda as they commemorate the 19th anniversary of the callous act.
EALA further resolved to support the decision of the Council of Ministers to ensure that all the archives of the International Court of Tribunal of Rwanda (ICTR) are transferred to Rwanda.
d) Parliament received and debated on the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 Annual Reports of the EAC which highlight broad achievements of the EAC with regards to the main pillars of integration. Other reports that were tabled brought to fore issues and progress of EALA and the EAC in the integration dispensation.
5. A number of EALA Committees also had an opportune time to meet and to review a number of issues on their agenda. Highlights included:
a) the CTI Committee which met with the Council of Ministers and senior EAC Officials to review the OSBP Bill, 2012
b) the General Purpose Committee which met and exchanged views with a delegation from the East African Sub-Regional Support Initiative for the Advancement of Women (EASSI) to discuss the possibility of enacting a Bill on East African Community Gender and Development and on implementation of a policy in the same lines
c) Transparency International met with Members of the Legal Rules and Privileges Committee, Accounts Committee and Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolution Committee.
6. The Speaker on her part, held the following discussions:
a) received a delegation from the East African Farmers Federation (EAFF) where discussions delved on the proposed Co-operatives Bill and further collaboration between EALA and EAFF
b) received a delegation of Parliamentarians from Uganda (Committee of the East African Community) who were in Kigali on a one week tour to familiarise themselves with the activities of EALA and on the oversight activities of the Committees of EALA.
c) Chaired the EAC inter-Organ meeting where important matters of policy around the EAC were deliberated on.
7. Ladies and Gentlemen: I thank you for listening. I shall now take some questions and comments.
Margaret Nantongo Zziwa
SPEAKER
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