EALA Speaker calls for speedy address of inequalities in region
EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Daniel F. Kidega is calling on Governments in the EAC to avail more resources to address existing inequalities in the region, and to enhance equity and inclusivity to spur progress.
The Speaker made the remarks at the launch of the Society for International Development (SID) State of EAC 2016 Report themed: “Consolidating Misery, the Political Economy of Inequalities in East Africa,” in Nairobi this morning. Rt Hon Kidega maintained that it was key for the economic boom been realized to translate in equal measures with income generation and employment opportunities to close the widening gaps between the haves and the have-nots and boost security for the region.
“Ideally, East Africans shall further appreciate benefits of integration when such translate into a shilling more in to their pockets. There are two issues here; one is inclusivity – which essentially refers to how underprivileged East Africans participate in income generation. The second is equity which essentially depicts share and accrual of economic benefits among all”, the Speaker said.
He remarked that delay in implementation of the Common Market Protocol was retrogressing the speed with which the region can progress saying free movement would enhance availability of opportunities and spur productivity.
The Speaker urged Governments to ensure provision of adequate shelter for its citizens.
“Government is today going the extra mile in upgrading slums and an example is found right here, a few kilometers away in the sprawling Kibra area. In Rwanda, Government has partnered with publics to eradicate the Nyakatsi Houses – proving that indeed, it can happen”, Rt Hon Kidega said.
The SID report focuses on nine sectors divided across three sectors, and economic pillar, social pillar and political pillar. The sectors include; agriculture, wages and policy (economic pillar), while the social pillar encompasses education, health, housing and shelter. Under the political pillar, the report takes an incisive look into Justice, security, discrimination and identities.
The Report presented to participants by the Deputy Director at SID, Arthur Muliro, States that the biggest task facing the state of East Africa is perhaps not so much that of pursuing economic growth, at any cost, but that of creating foundations for lasting human development in the region. Thus it states that by reinforcing the livelihoods of each individual citizen, the potential for national and regional growth will be multiplied several times over.
On institutional arrangements, the report depicts that such arrangements to the national levels are skewed in favour of the rich and powerful. “Cosmetic changes and make do adjustments are only delaying an inevitable internal crisis. The time to rethink the structure of power and the economy is now,” a section of the report states.
The report underscores the need to support local markets. It states that despite agriculture been the single largest employer in the region, its contribution to the national GDPs continue to slip further downwards. On matters health, the SID Report states that weak regulation, particularly in rural areas and lack of quality controls have resulted in poor quality health care services been offered to rural residents.
“As a result, it is not unusual to hear of situations in which the healthcare offered has resulted in additional damage to the patients,” the report reads in part. On security, the report states that Governments in the region spent close to 2 Billion dollars but the expenditures seem to count for little in terms of security for citizens of the EAC.
The report proceeds to prescribe eight areas of recourse if the region is to address inequalities. It calls for the address of barriers to trade, enhanced wages and stronger legislation to change the tide.
The Associate Director of SID, Ali Hersi, maintained that the gap of inequalities need to be closed. If inequalities continue to be consolidated, there is a strong possibility that future generations of East Africans will live worse lives than the current generations.
SID is an International think tank founded in 1957 to promote social justice and foster democratic participation in the development process. Through locally driven programmes and activities, SID strengthens collective empowerment, facilitates dialogue and knowledge sharing on people-centred development strategies and promotes policy change towards inclusiveness, equity and sustainability. SID has over 30 Chapters in more than 50 countries. In East Africa, SID publishes the State of EAC Report.
The report shall shortly be available of the EALA Website (www.eala.org) and the SID website (www.sidint.net)