Posted in Press Release
The second week of the sensitisation of stakeholders in the Partner States has commenced and will see EALA Members continue with its outreach to regional stakeholders. The sensitisation activities which run up to the back-end of next week are themed: ”EAC Integration Agenda: Accessing the Gains”.
Last week, the Members met a number of stakeholders. In Kigali, the EALA Chapter led by the Chairperson, Hon. Patricia Hajabakiga, addressed over 1000 representatives of the National Youth Council in Huye, Southern Province at the weekend. A number of issues were raised at the outreach programme including youth involvement in strengthening of the integration process, with the Members urging the stakeholder group to take advantage of cross-border opportunities in the region. Earlier on, the Chapter held an interactive session with representatives and the membership of the Private Sector Federation (PSF) Rwanda led by the Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Ruzibiza.
The PSF members urged EALA to ensure the total and complete elimination of NTBs on the corridors especially the Northern Corridor. Last year, EALA enacted the EAC Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) Bill 2015 and the piece of legislation is currently undergoing assent in the Partner States. The Private Sector were also succinct that lack of enforcement mechanism on the EAC's laws/policies/decisions continued to hamper trade facilitation. PSF are also urging the Assembly to ensure further involvement of Private Sector in the decision making since EAC is private sector led and market driven.
In Kampala, key highlights of the Uganda Chapter’s outreach program included courtesy calls on cabinet ministers and high ranking government officials. The EALA Members first visited the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Major General Kahinda Otafire. Discussions delved on strengthening integration in readiness for the political federation with the Minister assuring the legislators that the region was fully committed to the integration dispensation. The EALA Chapter led by Hon. Nusura Tiperu also met with the Minister for Trade, Hon. Amelia Kyambadde where both parties agreed that Partner States need to ensure standardisation of goods and to create an environment that facilitates trade. The legislators then paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Finance, Hon. Mattia Kasaijja and other parastatals. The EALA Members were joined by a section of their colleagues from the Burundi chapter.
The sensitisation and outreach programs of the Assembly in the Republics of Kenya, Burundi and the United Republic of Tanzania were also on course as at time of press.
This is the second phase of the outreach programme following a successful phase held in the Partner States in April 2016. The three-week activity hopes to sensitise EAC citizens on the overall integration process and to promote liaison with key stakeholders in the process.
The outreach programme which is been undertaken by the EALA local chapters also hopes to keep the EAC populace informed on the role of EALA in the integration process and to enhance interaction between the Private Sector and the Civil Society.
They include; representatives of local Government associations, and Universities and learning institutions. Other stakeholders are media, Parliaments, women and youth councils, the Private Sector and the women and youth organisations.
Sensitisation is a key component of EALA’s work. The EALA Strategic Plan (2013-2018) envisages a people-centred approach to widening and deepening of the integration agenda.
Posted in Press Release
A new Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (EACREEE) to complement and strengthen the ongoing EAC Partner States’ initiatives in the areas of policy and capacity development, knowledge management and raising awareness as well as investment and business promotion is now operational at the Makerere University College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) in Kampala, Uganda.
The East African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (EACREEE) was inaugurated by the Minister designate Hon. Irene Muloni of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development of Uganda. The Minister reaffirmed the continued support of the Uganda government to the EACREEE and called on Partner States and Development Partners as well as the private sector to give full support to the Centre.
The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Jesca Eriyo pointed out that the focus of the energy sector is to ensure availability of sufficient, reliable, cost effective and environmentally friendly energy sources in the region across borders; promoting electricity interconnectivity to facilitate the broader EAC objectives of attracting investments and promoting competitiveness and trade.
“The Centre we are launching today will provide the following services to different clients and target groups said the Deputy Secretary General:
- Develop and implement a coherent regional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RE&EE) policy framework for the EAC and facilitate its implementation at national levels;
- Develop and execute regional programs and projects with other Partners and mobilize funding; create synergies with ongoing programs;
- Operate as key entry point for the implementation of international funding to mitigate climate change in the Energy sector;
- Provide co-funding for demand-driven programs and projects executed by the private and public sector or civil society in the region (e.g. call for proposals and tenders);
- provide a framework for capacity building activities and strengthen networks between research and training institutions as well as organize training of trainers workshops;
- Update and provide RE&EE information and data for investors;
- Act as Think Tank, Lobbying Agent and Advisory Platform for RE&EE in East Africa;
- Networking and co-organization of conferences, forums and workshops; and lastly
- Facilitate North-South and South-South cooperation for knowledge and technology transfer”.
Mr. Philippe Scholtès, the Managing Director of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), emphasized the importance of inclusive and sustainable industrial development, as well as the role of sustainable energy and private-public partnerships (PPP) in this respect. He said that the global network of regional sustainable Energy Centres assists Development Partners in effective and efficient way.
Mr. Günter Engelits, Head of Office, Austrian Development Cooperation (ADA) in Uganda, said the Centre is expected to reduce political, regulatory, institutional, technical, and social barriers in the region, and support the achievement of sustainable energy for all, as well as the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
The EACREEE is supported by UNIDO and the Austrian Development Agency, and is part of the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres. The Network currently includes the EACREEE, the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) based in Cape Verde, and the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) in Barbados. The Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE) and the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) are expected to be launched by the end of 2016.