EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Daniel Fred Kidega wants global Parliamentarians and Parliaments to take the lead in reversing the ever-increasing human rights abuses in the society. He says legislators must rise up to the occasion, accept responsibility and diligently play their roles to avoid been roundly condemned for doing too little or nothing, in stopping such abuses.
The remarks are contained in a speech delivered on behalf of the EALA Speaker by Member, Hon Taslima Twaha, yesterday at the 135th Meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union currently underway in Geneva, Switzerland.
The theme of this year’s Assembly is “Human Rights Abuses as Precursors of Conflict: Parliament as Early Responders”. Over 700 delegates and about 30 Speakers are in attendance at the congress.
The EALA Speaker told the meeting of the strong interdependence between human rights violations and intractable conflicts and warned of its disproportionate impact to women and children, especially the girl child. He stated that lack of free, fair and credible elections remained a catalyst in the long run, leading to instability, conflicts and therefore human rights abuses. The Speech cited Parliaments as first responders in resolving the violations and called for passage and enactment of relevant pieces of legislation, enhanced budgets and better oversight on matters of human rights abuses.
EALA has passed two key related pieces of legislation the EAC Conflict Management Act, 2012 and the EAC Human and Peoples Rights Bill, 2011. “The enforcement of regional and national legislation is absolutely fundamental”, Hon Taslima added.
The legislator said the region had not been spared and it remains prone to conflicts that affect the citizens of the EAC as in other parts of the globe. This is despite efforts by the founders of the EAC towards underscoring human rights and democracy at inception of the EAC.
“The unrests in some Partner States are still a big challenge to the Community today leading to cases of human rights abuses. The region and specifically, the Republics of Kenya and Uganda have also borne the effects of the Al-Shabaab, with hundreds of lives lost to terrorism and property damaged”, he said.“Internationally, the Syrian Crisis in Aleppo is getting to very alarming heights. Documented cases of human rights abuses have been brought to the fore”, the legislator added.
The 135th Meeting of the IPU commenced on Monday this week. In attendance are delegations of legislators from the globe. The EAC region is well represented. They include, Speakers from Kenya (Senate), Rt Hon Ekwe Ethuro, Parliament of South Sudan, Rt. Hon Anthony Lino Makana and Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga of the Parliament of Uganda. The delegation of the Parliament of Rwanda is led by the Vice President of the Senate, Hon Harerimana Fatou while the 2nd Vice President of the Burundi National Assembly, Hon Edouard Nduwimana leads a team from Bujumbura.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s (IPU) 135th Assembly is urging all relevant parties to bring an end to Syrian war. They also called today for the immediate, unimpeded and permanent humanitarian and medical access to the civilian population in Syria in order to ensure that supplies reach over 550,000 people in besieged areas, deprived from almost all humanitarian aid.
In an emergency resolution adopted by consensus, the IPU urged parties to the conflict to reinstate the ceasefire agreement of September 2016 and to ensure the security and freedom of movement of humanitarian personnel.
Acknowledging that over 11 million people have lost their homes in Syria, 6.5 million of whom are internally displaced, and that 4.8 million have had to flee abroad since the outbreak of hostilities, MPs addressed the war and the severe humanitarian situation in Syria, particularly in Aleppo.
In other news, Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga, was elected Chair of the African Geo-Political Group. Africa’s Geo-Political Group consists of 50 Parliaments from the Continent. Each geopolitical group plays an important role in the functioning of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Each group decides on its own working methods that best suit its participation in the activities of the Union, its composition and its Rules of Procedure.
On other related matters, a new study released by the IPU reveals that harassment and violence against women MPs are global problems that impede gender equality and undermine the foundations of democracy. IPU’s study is based on in-depth interviews with 55 women MPs from 39 countries covering five regions of the world. It shows troubling level of psychological, sexual and physical violence.
The study reports that 81.8 per cent of survey participants have experienced some form of psychological violence. Among them, some 44 per cent said they had received threats of death, rape, beatings or abduction during their parliamentary terms, including threats to kidnap or kill their children.
“This is a survey of a small percentage of women MPs, but it makes clear that the problem is much more widespread and under-reported than we realize. The Parliamentary community must speak out against sexism and harassment and make clear that it cannot be tolerated as the price to be paid for women’s political involvement,” a statement by IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong said in part.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national Parliaments. It works to safeguard peace and drives positive democratic change through political dialogue and concrete action. To that end, IPU fosters contacts, co-ordination, and the exchange of experience among Parliaments and Parliamentarians of all countries. IPU also contributes to the defence and promotion of human rights - an essential factor of Parliamentary democracy and development. EALA is an Associate Member of the IPU.
The second East African Community Common Market Scorecard 2016 (CMS 2016) which evaluates implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol, will be launched on October 27, 2016 in Kampala, Uganda. The Scorecard has been developed by the EAC Secretariat with the support of the World Bank Group and Trade Mark East Africa.
The main purpose of the scorecard is to measure compliance of selected commitments to the Protocol – and in so doing, facilitate policy dialogue by identifying good practices, track reforms, facilitate sharing of reform experiences, and enable research and analysis on the links between reforms in measured areas and desired outcomes.
The second publication of the scorecard (CMS 2016) brings to light, in respect of the recommendations of the 2014 edition, reforms undertaken by each Partner State and establishes whether Partner States have enacted new restrictions or nonconforming measures since September 30, 2013.
Fundamentals behind non-compliance with conformity measures are identified and appropriate measures recommended for spurring the region’s move towards full implementation of the focal commitments in the four freedoms in the Common Market Protocol, namely: the free movement of goods; labour; services; and capital, which significantly boost trade and investments and make the region more productive and prosperous.
The scorecard 2016 focuses on the following three freedoms that were also the basis of the CMS2014 assessment:
Capital (focusing on 20 operations)
Services (focusing on four key service sectors - Professional Services (Architecture, Engineering, Accounting and Legal services); Transport (Road and Air); Telecommunications and Distribution Services.
Goods (focusing on NTBs)
Article 50 of the EAC Common Market Protocol requires the development of the a framework for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the Protocol. The Protocol was signed by the regional Leaders on November 20, 2009 and came into force on July 1, 2010.
A one-day high-level meeting between the Permanent/Principal Secretaries in charge of East African Community Affairs in the Partner States and officials from the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) is taking place in Kampala, Uganda.
The meeting is considering, among other things, capacity building and sensitization priorities for the RSS, projects/programme priorities for RSS, institutional inclusion of RSS into the Organs (EAC Secretariat, EALA, EACJ) and Institutions of the Community, and domestication and implementation by RSS of critical EAC instruments like passports, transit transport documentations, applicable standards in health, trade and civil aviation safety and security.
Addressing the meeting, Uganda’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of EAC Affairs, Mrs. Edith Mwanje, on behalf of the Chair of the EAC Coordination Committee, Amb Dr. Aziz P. Mlima, who is the PS in Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, East African, Regional and International Cooperation, hailed RSS’s commitment to the integration process and the internal efforts towards restoration of peace, security and tranquility in the country.
“We are convinced that the meeting of today is a key catalyst to these efforts and will aid in the speeding up of the integration and participation of the Republic of South Sudan in the affairs and processes of the Community,” said Ms. Mwanje.
The leader of the RSS delegation, Hon. Aggrey Tisa Sabuni, who is also the Presidential Economic Advisor, commended the Permanent/Principal Secretaries for the efforts that led to the admission of RSS into the Community. He affirmed to the delegates that the situation in South Sudan was calm and things were being sorted out internally and appreciated the support the country was receiving from the region.
Addressing the delegates, the Secretary General of the EAC, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, said the meeting was being held pursuant to the implementation of a directive of the 17th Extra Ordinary Summit held in Dar es Salaam last month to agree on the priorities to underpin the development of a roadmap for the full integration of South Sudan into the Community.
He said that the proposed roadmap will be used as the benchmark upon which RSS projects, programmes, institutional inclusion, responsibilities and obligations to the EAC will be monitored. The Secretary General urged the meeting to come up with priorities and recommendations to assist the Secretariat to compile the draft roadmap and budget for RSS integration for consideration by both parties before consideration by the EAC Council of Ministers.
Mr. Mou Mou Athian Kuol, the Secretary General of the South Sudan-EAC Secretariat, informed the delegates that South Sudan’s joining the EAC was natural because the country has always been historically, culturally and ethnically a part of the greater East Africa region.
Mr. Kuol said that the country’s membership in the EAC would enhance cooperation in many areas including: governance, economic, political and defence, adding that it would also harmonize the RSS’s legal system, customs and numerous standards with that of the Community and create a web of positive interactions making both internal and external conflict less likely.
The Secretary General revealed that the integration of the RSS into the Community will be done in phases, saying: “Aware of capacity requirements, the implementation shall be phased-in and progressive to allow for South Sudan to build relevant capacity and strengthen its institutions.”
He disclosed that in the course of the negotiations for the admission of RSS into the Community, it was agreed that South Sudan will have 3 years after accession to prepare for implementation of the Customs Union and Common Market Protocols. “After the three-year period, RSS will still be allowed to request for additional time in line with EAC laws if it finds itself unable to comply with certain requirements.”
He also disclosed that following the linear integration model, the initial focus will be on the Customs Union Protocol (implementation of the Common External Tariff and Single Customs Territory) and key provisions of the Common Market Protocol such as Freedom of Movement of Capital, Services, Goods, Persons and Labour.
The 8th East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition 2017 (EAPCE’17) will be held from 8th to 10th March, 2017 at the Le Panoramique Hotel in Bujumbura, Burundi. The conference organized by the East African Community (EAC) is expected to attract more than 600 participants.
The 2017 edition of the biennial conference under the theme, East Africa - An Emerging Hotspot for Oil and Gas Exploration, Infrastructure Development and Commercialization, aims at promoting the region’s petroleum potential and investment opportunities. The last five Conferences have proven a valuable forum for governments and petroleum industry players from around the world to dialogue.
According to the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, the conference is expected to provide a forum for dialogue for all players in the Petroleum industry regionally and internationally.
“It will provide unique networking opportunities with government, private sector, regional organizations, academia, technology developers, investors and civil society,” added the Secretary General.
Held since 2003, the East African Petroleum Conferences have provided increasing awareness of the potential for petroleum development in the region and other important developments in the petroleum sector including technological advancements in exploration, development and production.
Delegates can expect high quality technical presentations, exhibitions from a wide spectrum of players from the petroleum sector. The conference programme integrates field excursions to selected sites in each Partner State for delegates to see the rich geological variety that the region possesses as well as the touristic attractions that the region is well known for.
EAPCE’17 is taking place at the peak of EAC's transforming into a Common Market. This transformation is geared towards providing great opportunities for business and investment in all sectors as the single market provides for free movement of goods, capital and services within the region.
Important Conference Dates:
Event
date
Open Submissions of Abstracts
September 15, 2016
Open Registration
September 15, 2016
Abstract Submission Deadline
November 30, 2016
Notification of Acceptance
December 16, 2016
Early Bird Registration Deadline
December 31, 2016
Regular Registration Deadline
March 5, 2017
Late Registration Deadline
March 8, 2017
Exhibition Booth Hire Deadline
March 1, 2017
Conference Start
March 8, 2017
Conference End
March 10, 2017
For more information on EAPCE’17, visit the conference website: www.eapce17.eac.int
A broad spectrum of stakeholders and experts from the Automotive Industry, Finance, Customs and Trade sectors as well as vehicle manufacturing company representatives from the EAC Partner States embarked on a three-day meeting at the Sarova Panafric Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.
The main objective of the meeting, which is organized by the EAC and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is to review and validate the progress report of the Comprehensive Study on Automotive Industry and provide inputs towards finalization of the same and also inform the EAC and potential private sector investors (both foreign and domestic) on policy options and modalities to promote and develop the motor vehicle industry in the region.
The EAC Heads of State Summit have on various occasions reiterated the need to promote motor vehicle assembling in the region, given the huge potential that can be realized from a thriving iron ore extraction and beneficiation industry that can in turn, lay the foundations for a globally competitive steel production industry on a scale to support the establishment of an automotive industry in East Africa.
Cognizant of this, the 16th Ordinary Summit of the East African Community Heads of State of 20th February 2015 “directed the EAC Council of Ministers to study the modalities for promotion of motor vehicle assembly in the region, and to reduce the importation of used motor vehicles from outside the community, and to report progress to the 17th Summit.”
The Director for Productive and Social Sectors at the EAC Secretariat, Mr. Jean Baptiste Havugimana, for the EAC Secretary General, said that road transport was the most predominant mode of transport across the EAC region due to its affordability and flexibility.
“The automotive industry is a major industrial and economic force worldwide. It makes 60 million cars and trucks a year, and is responsible for almost half the world's consumption of oil. In addition, the industry employs 4 million people directly, and many more indirectly," Mr. Havugimana said.
Mr. Havugimana said that the EAC had made a strategic decision to invest in the motor vehicle industry as a way of diversifying the regional manufacturing base which at the moment relies heavily on raw agriculture commodities.
It is anticipated that the development of an automotive industry will create more jobs and reduce transportation costs. The industry also has the potential to contribute to foreign exchange reserves, if some of the vehicle parts currently imported are competitively produced within the EAC Region.
To reap the full benefits from the industry, it will be vital to nurture it. To do so, the EAC Secretariat has been tasked to speed up work on a comprehensive study on the bloc’s automotive industry to help decision makers plan better and put in place modalities that will support similar initiatives and promote the automotive industry.
In his remarks, Mr. Julius Kirima, the Acting Deputy Director of Industries in Kenya’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives acknowledged the generous support extended by the Japanese government through JICA to facilitate the study on the automotive industry in East Africa.
Mr. Kirima noted that the study gives ample opportunity to chat the way forward towards promotion of intellectual development, production of quality automotive products and increased employment opportunities within the region.
In light of the growing challenges faced in ascertaining food security in the region, EALA is calling on Partner States to prioritize harmonisation of national laws, policies and strategies on Agriculture and Food Security in order to ease the urgent implementation of the Malabo commitments. The Malabo Declaration calls on States in the Continent to scale up their budgetary allocations to the agriculture sector to at least 10% of total budgets.
EALA passed a Resolution urging the EAC Partner States, Thursday last week to fast-track the implementation of the Malabo Declaration and the attendant commitments in the Partner States. The Resolution moved by Hon Mike Sebalu received affirmation from a number of legislators.
The Assembly once again reiterated its plea to Partner States to allocate budgets to agriculture that reach the Malabo Declaration target of at least 10% annually or to strive to progressively get there. At the moment, only the Republic of Rwanda, according to the Resolution, comes close to attaining the Malabo declaration, having surpassed the 6% mark, with regards to its budget allocated to agriculture.
The Assembly says budgets should also focus on financing smallholder centered programmes like extension services, research, input support, improving access to finance and market and on efficient utilization of the allocations.
The domestication of the Malabo Declaration 2014 -2025, the Assembly ascertains, is possible by putting in place regional legally binding protocols and financial instruments, which are responsive to the needs of smallholder farmers, youth and women to ensure regional realisation of goals.
Of importance, the Resolution states, is the need to institutionalize an annual dialogue framework that brings together farmers, non-State actors and the Partner States. Other participants should include the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Results framework Focal Persons, Agriculture Parliamentary Committee Chairpersons and the EALA Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources (ATNR) Committee. Accordingly, such a conference, the Assembly states, should promote dialogue on the implementation of the Malabo commitments so as to enhance mutual accountability within the agriculture sector in the region, as well as fronting new ideas.
According to analysts, many government policy makers and even Parliamentarians may not be aware of the Malabo Declaration. The implementation of the Declaration would reduce the gap between the rich and the poor in the Community. Emphasis should therefore should be given to value addition to agricultural produce to improve income for the small scale EAC farmers and agricultural produce.
Those who rose in support of the Resolution were Hon Isabelle Ndahayo, Hon Susan Nakawuki, and Hon. Fredric Ngezebuhoro.
The passage of the Resolution comes hot on the heels of the adoption of the Assembly of a Report on the Agriculture Summit 2016 last week.
Essentially, domesticating the regional framework to transform agriculture sector is vital while recognizing the rights and roles of majority smallholder crop growers, fisher folks and livestock keepers, as well as medium and larger scale farmers.
The East African Community has a number of regional agriculture instruments under its belt including the EAC Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Strategy, the EAC Food and Nutrition Policy, Livestock Policy and the regional Fisheries instruments.
The region is also paying attention to the CAADP Compact, the EAC Food Security Action Plan alongside the Action plan to enhance the Resilience capacity of livestock keepers in the Arid and Semi-Arid (ASAL) lands of East Africa.
EALA is resolute that EAC Partner States must now take effective measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination against persons with albinism and to increase education and public awareness in the region. At the same time, the Assembly is fervently condemning all forms of discrimination and attacks against persons with albinism, ritual killings and the trafficking in persons of the same in the EAC Partner States.
The Resolution urging all Partner States to protect the rights and the freedoms of persons living with albinism was moved by Hon Shyrose Bhanji late Thursday in Zanzibar. The Resolution states that Persons with Albinism have continually been discriminated against with regards to employment as well as when it comes to access to educational, social and financial services. “Subsequently, there are increased systematic violence, brutal attacks on and maiming of Persons with Albinism, targeted for ritual killings due the myths and misconceptions that their body parts are a source of wealth and good charms,” Hon Bhanji noted.
The Resolution, seconded by Hon Abubakar Zein and Hon Nusura Tiperu, says, such brutal attacks go contrary to a Resolution guided by of the African Charter for Human and Peoples Rights/Res.263 (LIV) 2013 on the prevention of attacks and discrimination against Persons with Albinism.
EALA thus implores Partner States to prioritise affirmative action towards Persons with Albinism for purposes of addressing long history of marginalisation. It states that such matters must focus, in particular, on matters related to education, employment, economic empowerment and decision making.
“The Council of Ministers should impress upon the Partner States to urgently prioritise affirmative action for persons with Albinism by coming up with enhanced interventions that will guarantee the protection and enjoyment of the rights and freedoms of persons with albinism. Such include guarantees for access by persons with albinism to quality and free or affordable sun screen lotion, low vision assistive devices and proper health services, in particular early skin cancer detection and prevention as well as eye care services”, the Resolution avers in part.
Article 6(d) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community enjoins the EAC Partner States to uphold, among others, the fundamental principle of good governance including adherence to the principles of democracy, the rule of law, social justice, equal opportunities and gender equality. The same Article further enshrines EAC’s recognition, promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights in accordance with the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
On its part, Article 2 of the African Charter guarantees every individual, the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms recognized in the African Charter regardless of race, ethnic group, color, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth or other status.
Article 18(4) of the African Charter provides that persons with disabilities enjoy the right to special measures of protection in keeping with their physical or moral needs, in addition to Article 23 of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, which provides for the special protection of women with disabilities.
Debate on the floor saw a number of legislators rise up in support of the Resolution. They included Hon. Maryam Ussi, Hon. Susan Nakawuki, Hon. Dora Byamukama and Hon. Valerie Nyirahabineza.
The Members reiterated that people with Albinism suffer a lot of discrimination that is not often reported. “It is important that we extend equal protection to all human beings as a matter of human rights. At the same time, it is important for Partner States to zero rate taxation on protection creams/ screen lotions for use by those with albinism”, they said.
The disappearance and killing of albinos continues to be a challenge in some of the Partner States in the region.
The Assembly further calls for collaboration with different stakeholders to stem the vice. EALA states that Partner States should institute a collaborative partnership with the Civil Society Organisations, the Private Sector or other actors with the view of eliminating stigma against persons with albinism and promoting the rights, dignity and living conditions of persons with albinism in the region. Collaboration with regional and international organisations are also deemed necessary in promoting the rights, dignity and living conditions of persons with albinism in the region.
EALA yesterday afternoon administered Oaths of allegiance to Hon. Jean Marie Muhirwa from Burundi and Hon Oda Gasinzigwa from Rwanda, filling the hitherto, vacant posts.
The new Members took the Oaths of Allegiance to the EAC Treaty, in accordance with Rule 5 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly in an occasion, administered by the Clerk of EALA, before the EALA Speaker, Rt. Hon Daniel F. Kidega.
The Rules of Procedure say in part Rule 5 (4) that: “No Member can sit or participate in the proceedings of the House until the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance to the Treaty is taken”.
Rule 5(5) specifically states that “when a Member first attends to take his or her seat other than at the first sitting of a new House, he or she shall be brought to the table by two Members and presented by them to the Speaker who shall then administer the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance”.
Hon Jean Marie Muhirwa, ushered into the House by Hon Emerence Bucumi and Hon Judith Pareno, was elected to replace the late Hon Hafsa Mossi, who was assassinated in unclear circumstances in Bujumbura, on July 13, 2016.
Hon. Jean Marie Muhirwa is a Member of the ruling party, CNDD-FDD since 1994. He is a former Senator and was at one time, Administrator of Bwambarangwe Commune of Kirundo, Northern Province in Burundi. Hon Muhirwa garnered a total of 103 out of the 109 votes cast in the Burundi National Assembly to be elected to the EALA. He has studied and lived in the Republic of Kenya. He also similarly had a stint in the United Republic of Tanzania.
On her part, Hon. Oda Gasinzigwa replaces Hon. Christophe Bazivamo who resigned from his position after being elected as the new EAC Deputy Secretary General, taking the Productive and Social Sectors docket last month.
Hon. Gasinzigwa was ushered into the House by Hon Dora Byamukama, Hon. Tiperu Nusura and Hon Pierre Celestin Rwigema. She was until March this year, Minister of Gender and Family Promotion in the Republic of Rwanda.
Hon. Oda Gasinzigwa has a long career history having participated in various national and regional bodies that were instrumental in advancing women’s rights, reconciliation and peace. From 2005 to 2009 she served on the Rwandan Government’s National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, which coordinates various activities including tolerance and forgiveness programs in communities and schools.
Hon Gasinzigwa once served as the Executive Secretary of Rwanda’s Women Council and was a representative in the National Preparatory Committee for Women’s Forum at the International Conference for Peace, Security and Development in the Great Lakes Region.
In addition, she was a Member of the Committee that implemented the “Beijing Recommendations,” a platform for action to promote women’s advancement stemming from the 1995 UN Conference on women.
Hon. Gasinzigwa is a holder of a Master of Arts in social sciences, with a focus on gender and development.
Both Members shall now serve the Assembly for the balance of the tenure, which ends in June 2017.
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.
The Assembly was unanimous today in offering its condolences and sympathies to the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and the victims of the earthquake following the disaster that shattered Kagera region on September 10th, 2016.
Resources permitting, the Assembly is also expected to make a visit to the affected Kagera region to appraise itself on the impact of the earthquake as it pledges support in addressing its aftermath.
The Resolution condoling with the victims of the unfortunate tragedy was moved by Hon Shyrose Bhanji and seconded by Hon Nancy Abisai, Hon Yves Nsabimana, Hon Jeremie Ngendakumana, Hon Abdullah Mwinyi and Hon Twaha Taslima.
The Earthquake which read on a scale of 5.7 on the seismograph struck Nsunga, Kagera region in the North-Western parts of Lake Victoria and the resultant tremors were felt far and wide as they rippled parts of Western Kenya and the Republic of Uganda.
The Earthquake shock had a maximum intensity of V11 (very Strong) on the scale leading to a loss of 17 lives, injury of 440 persons and displacement of thousands of people, as well as massive destruction of properties and livelihoods.
The Resolution took cognizant of the immediate intervention by the Government of Tanzania, made through the Prime Minister’s Office. Notably, the Prime Minister’s Office in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign affairs and EAC Co-operation held a charity walk, whose chief participant was H.E. Ali Hassan Mwinyi, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania. The Walk attracted several persons from the local and international community.
In her justification, Hon Bhanji said the earthquake was perhaps the strongest felt in history of the United Republic of Tanzania. The situation got bad and even the academic calendars of schools were affected with authorities having to relocate students to safer grounds.
Key centres such as government buildings, churches, health centres were also damaged in one way or another.At the same time, Hon Bhanji appreciated a number of stakeholders from the private, public organisations and members of the diplomatic community who contributed the initiative in form of financial, moral and material support to address the devastating effect of the earthquake.
“This is greatly appreciated Hon Speaker”, the legislator said. “It is estimated the reconstruction and renovation of the schools alone shall cost no less than 40 Billion Tanzania Shillings”, she added.
Contributing to the debate, Hon Nancy Abisai said the earthquake was felt in many parts of East Africa. “The magnitude of the earthquake was very big and was felt in some parts of Western Kenya. I thank the Republic of Kenya who in the spirit of integration sent contribution as did Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda. All Partner States contributed or sent their sympathies”, she said.
“The House passed a Bill on Disaster Risk Management and this should prepare us for the future. Awareness and disaster preparedness is necessary to enable us to know”, she reiterated.
“When you look at Florida and South Carolina, thousands of people were saved as compared to the hurricane disaster in Haiti which claimed many more,” Hon Abisai added.Hon Abubakar Zein lauded all those who came to the aid of Kagera region.
“I thank especially H.E. Ali Hassan Mwinyi who has gracefully continued to support worthy causes in the region”, he added.Hon Mike Sebalu said out of the cause of H.E. Ali Hassan Mwinyi, a cancer ward has been constructed in Kampala.
“At the rotary walk held in Dar es Salam last week, resources were also mobilized to put up a teaching Hospital in Dar es Salaam, he added. The Legislator called on the region to take matters of disasters seriously.
Hot Patricia Hajabakiga said it was necessary for the Summit of the EAC Heads of State to fastrack the assent of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act.Hon Ussi Maryam, Hon Pierre Celestin Rwigema, Hon Dr Martin Nduwimana, Hon Abubkar Zein, Hon Taslima Twaha, Hon Martin Ngoga supported the Resolution. Others were Hon Adam Kimbisa, Hon Mumbi Ngaru, Hon Sarah Bonaya, Hon Isabelle Ndahayo, Hon Mukasa Mbidde, Hon Judith Pareno, Hon Angela Kizigha.
The Chairperson of the Council of Ministers, Hon Dr Susan Kolimba assured the House that the Act on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management was before the Heads of State for assent. She hailed the Partner States for their timely contribution to the United Republic of Tanzania.
Under Article 112 (1) (d) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC, the Partner States undertake to, among, other things, co-operate in the management of the environment and agree to take necessary disaster preparedness, management protection and mitigation measures especially for the control of natural and man-made disasters, which include oil spills, bio-hazards, floods, earthquakes, marine accidents, drought and bushfires.
