Chapter offices in Partner States now a necessity, Assembly resolves
The Assembly wants opening of its Chapter Offices in the Partner States to enable better co-ordination, enhanced linkages and consolidation of the instutionalization processes.
The move follows the adoption of a Resolution moved by Hon Abubakar Zein. The Resolution says such a move would ensure increased access by citizens of Partner States and other organized critical stakeholders to the functions and the work of the Assembly. The Resolution also avers the commitment to enhance interactions between the Assembly with Partner States’ institutions, particularly the Parliaments of Partner States. The mover, Hon Zein reiterated the Assembly role was pegged on legislative, oversight and representation.
As debate got underway, Hon Nusura Tiperu said the move would enable the Assembly to leave better conditions for its new Members who shall be joining it in June 2017.
“The Assembly needs to be proactive and as it experiences challenges, it needs to come up with befitting proposals and standards required to enable it to scale its services and to handle matters more effectively and efficiently”, the legislator said.
The legislator said if offices were availed, it would make it conducive for the Assembly to enhance its activities. Hon Peter Mathuki however remarked that adequate research was necessary to enable the Motions brought to the House to meet the threshold necessary under the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC.
Others in support were Hon Dora Byamukama who remarked that EALA Members already utilized offices in the Parliaments’ but there was need to standardize the same across board. She remarked that majority of the EAC Ministries were no longer stand-alone and thus communications to the Ministries continued to present challenges.
“I go back to the Motion passed by the second Assembly that called for stand-alone Ministries to enable the substantive Ministers to attend fully to the requirements of the EAC”, the legislator said.
Hon Byamukama thanked the National Assemblies for their continuous support in terms of providing offices within their precincts for EALA Members.
Hon Abdullah Mwinyi said it would be good for the EAC to set aside resources to support establishment of offices given that the institution (EALA) is already established. He said due to the structure of Parliament of Tanzania, there were currently no offices set aside for EALA.
“The practice is already in place with the EACJ having established Registries,” he said.Hon AbuBakr Ogle remarked that sensitization in Partner States was a key activity which could be co-ordinated internally by presence of Chapter Offices of EALA.
Others who supported the Motion were Hon Chris Opoka, Hon Bernard Mulengani and Hon Dr Odette Nyiramilimo.At the moment, Members of EALA co-ordinate activities through their respective Chapters, which have loose structures.