East African Legislative Assembly, Bujumbura, Burundi, 6th December, 2018: The East African Legislative Assembly posted mixed results as the Games entered Day 5 in Bujumbura yesterday.
In football, EALA got off to a good start by defeating Parliament of Kenya 2-1 in an entertaining match at the Centre Technique, Ngagara in Bujumbura. Ahmed Mwapambe and Wycliff Ketto scored the all-important goals for the victors while Senator Cleophas Malala reduced the deficit for the Parliament of Kenya.
Both teams started the game on a high note with end to end action. Striker, Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, could have given his team an early lead but failed to latch on to a pass by Hon David Gikaria. On the opposite side, star striker, Ibrahim Jamal upon receiving a pass from Hon Julius Maganda beat the defence but shot wide with the goalkeeper Rogers Okwiri beaten. The EALA striker was, however, carried off the pitch with a suspected collar bone injury after a collision with a Parliament of Kenya player.
Ahmed Mwapambe was later to beat Rogers Okwiri to give EALA the lead after tapping in the ball, moments after Kenya’s goalkeeper blocked a rasping shot by Hon Kim Gai. In the second half, EALA resumed forcefully with the striking force making constant raids on the Parliament of Kenya backline. It paid off when Wyclif Ketto beat the defense line to unleash a block-buster in to the roof of the net for the second goal.
In other games of the day, Parliament of Uganda (women) won Parliament of Kenya by 3 Sets to 0. The victors won the first two sets 25-13 before taking 25-17 win to seal the lead.
In the second women’s match of the day, Parliament of Kenya beat EALA 3 sets to 0 (25-10) (25-5) and (25-19).
In men’s volleyball, Parliament of Burundi beat EALA 3 sets to 0 scoring (25-16), (25-22) and (25-16). In netball, Parliament of Kenya won EALA 44-12 in a one-sided match.
More games are expected on December 6 as Burundi and Uganda play in the first netball match before Parliament of Kenya lock horns with Parliament of Tanzania in the second match.
Later in the afternoon, the Parliament of Uganda will face off with Parliament of Burundi in football inn the first match, before EALA takes the field to battle out with Parliament of Tanzania.
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For more information, please contact:
Bobi Odiko Senior Public Relations Officer East African Legislative Assembly Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255-27-2508240 Fax: +255-27-2503103 Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036 Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org Web: www.eala.org
About the East African Legislative Assembly: The East African Legislative Assembly is the Legislative Organ of the East African Community. Its Membership consists of a total of 62, of whom 54 are elected Members (9 from each Partner State) and eight ex-officio members (the Ministers responsible for EAC Affairs from the Partner States, the Secretary General of the Community and the Counsel to the Community).The East African Legislative Assembly has legislative functions as well as oversight of all East African Community matters. The enactment of legislation of the Community is put in effect by means of Bills passed by the Assembly and assented to by the Heads of State, and every Bill that has been duly passed and assented to become an Act of the Community and takes precedent over similar legislations in the Partner States. EALA has to date passed 79 pieces of legislation.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 6th December, 2018: Intra-regional trade within the East African Community is currently very low standing at just less than 20%.
The Director of Trade at the EAC Secretariat, Alhajj Rashid Kibowa, said that this was extremely low compared to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) where intra-regional trade levels stand at 46% and the EU at approximately 67%.
Alhajj Kibowa disclosed that from next year onwards, the exhibitors and their stalls at the Annual EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition and Symposium will not be arranged according to the Partner States but according to product sectors to enhance information sharing, inter-sectoral/product benchmarking, and striking business deals amongst the exhibitors.
In the previous and ongoing 19th exhibition, exhibitors and their stalls have been arranged according to Partner States and in alphabetical order.
Alhajj Kibowa, who was addressing participants attending a symposium on Products Value Addition taking place on the sidelines of the 19th EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition at the Eldoret Sports Club, decried the low levels of intra-EAC trade.
“Partner States need to take advantage of regional integration initiatives like this Jua Kaliexhibition in order to scale up trade amongst themselves, otherwise the statistic is still lower but with a lot of potential for expansion,” he said.
The Director further said that that unlike the earlier exhibitions, the ongoing exhibition and future ones would be complemented with a strong daily symposium purposely to empower the exhibitors with knowledge, skills and attitudinal change needed for the growth of the informal sector.
Earlier, the Managing Director of J&L Enterprises, Mrs. Louise Judicate Mosha made a presentation on Product Value Edition to an enthusiastic audience composed mainly of women entrepreneurs from the Partner States at the exhibition.
Mrs. Mosha, a Tanzanian who owns the Dar es Salaam-based Company dealing with Agro-processing and Handicrafts, took the participants through her practical experience in product value addition and becoming a successful entrepreneur.
She said J&L Enterprises started by making candles but has now graduated and spread its product chain to include agro-processing and handicrafts.
Answering questions raised on packaging, value addition and standards by the participants, the EAC Principal Standards Officer, Mrs. Stella Apolot, said that packaging was an integral part of value addition as it contributes to the safety, quality, acceptance and competitiveness of the products before the consumers.
She said packaging technology ranges from simple to complex ones in terms of the safety requirements and design, amongst others, and that products have different packaging requirements to ensure that the design is right and the quality is right in protecting the integrity of the product being packaged.
“Packaging industry in the EAC is less developed and remains a big challenge for most small and medium enterprises in identifying the right packaging and the costs involved,” said Mrs. Apolot.
On Food Additives, the EAC Principal Standards Officer said that they play a big role in value addition to achieve customer quality requirements. As component of food, food additives are subject to pre-market approval by by experts qualified by scientific training and experience to evaluate their safety under the conditions of intended use.
“Food additives, despite being a necessity in value addition, may trigger allergic reactions and possibly lead to other serious health issues” and therefore MSMEs need to know the recommended food additives and quantities for each product and the information is readily available at Codex Allimentarius Commision website http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/codex-texts/list-standards/jp/; “Codex Standards for Food Additives,” said the Standards expert.
The daily symposium continues with the Republic of Rwanda expected to make a presentation on Standards, Quality Assurance, Metrology and Testing (SQMT) on Thursday, 6th December, 2018; Uganda will present on Benefits and opportunities from EAC integration to SMEs on Friday, 7th December, 2018; Burundi will tackle EAC Rules of Origin on Saturday, 8th December, 2018; while the Republic of South Sudan will present on MSMEs development on Sunday, 9th December, 2018.
Earlier on 3rd December, the Republic of Kenya made a presentation on cross-border trade; simplified trade regime and tackling non-tariff barriers (NTBs). Kenya’s Anti Counterfeit Agency also made a presentation on the same day. The United Republic of Tanzania made a presentation on Product Value Addition.
The daily symposium starts at 10.00 am and continues until midday at the Show ground.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 5th December, 2018: Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Industrialization, Trade and Cooperatives, Hon. Peter Munya,on Tuesday, 4th December, 2018 graced the official opening ceremony of the 19th EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition taking place at the Eldoret Sports Club in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya.
The 19th edition of the annual EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition, which is being held under thethemeSupport Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Build East Africa,has attracted over 1,400 artisans from five EAC Partner States, namely Burundi, Uganda, United Tanzania, Rwanda and the host country Kenya.
Addressing government officials, EAC Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Kenya, and artisans present, Hon. Munya said that the main objective of the EAC Jua Kali/NguvuKazi exhibition was to provide a platform for enhancing marketing linkages for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector products and services within the region so as to enable them access the existing regional market with a population of 150m people.
The Minister noted that this year’s theme, “Support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Build East Africa” augurs well for the region’s policy of supporting MSMEs get market within and beyond EAC borders.
He reaffirmed the six Partner States’ commitment to the EAC regional integration initiatives, like the ongoing exhibition, adding that the key component for the integration agenda was doing business together and expanding the market of East Africa, as well as removing the barriers to trade.
The Cabinet Secretary disclosed that Partner States were addressing the challenges impacting the growth and development of MSMEs and industries in the EAC.
He said that, for instance, all Partner States were putting in place elaborate and clear supportive policy frameworks to, among other things, empower and create MSMEs Authorities or Ministries that will oversee the development and promotion of small enterprises.
He also said that some Partner States were now enabling the MSMEs access affordable capital from financial institutions and putting in place mechanism for accessing their (SMEs) products by customers.
“We have in place an elaborate training and capacity building programmes for the MSMEs,” disclosed the Cabinet Secretary.
Addressing the same forum, the EAC Director General, Customs and Trade, Mr. Kenneth Bagamuhunda, commended Uasin Gishu County for hosting the 19th edition of the annual exhibition.
Mr. Bagamuhunda who was representing the EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, said that hosting and providing a lot of support to this year’s Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi Exhibition in Eldoret was a true demonstration and commitment by the Republic of Kenya to the EAC integration agenda.
The Director General disclosed that the EAC was putting more emphasis is being put on the development of the informal sector as they (MSMEs) are the engines of growth in East Africa.
“MSMEs are the incubators of industrial growth in our region,” said Mr. Bagamuhunda, adding that that capacity building was ongoing for MSMEs in South Sudan. He expressed hope that South Sudan will participate in the 20th edition of the annual exhibition.
He hailed the ever-increasing participation of women in the annual event and said the Secretariat had put in place an elaborate programme targeting women in business in the bloc.
The Director General commended the Partner States, Confederation of Informal sector Organization, Regional and National Steering Committees, and the EAC Secretariat staff for the successful organization of the event.
On his part, the Governor of Uasin Gishu County, Mr. Jackson Mandago, praised the EAC Heads of State for making it easier for East Africans to trade amongst themselves and move freely across the borders.
He urged Kenyans especially those in his county to take advantage of the free movement of goods and people to enhance the trade, tourism and interaction with other Partner States.
“Jua Kali/Nguzu Kazi” is about people to people integration, take advantage of the good infrastructure – roads, rails, etc – to travel and explore East Africa. The products of East Africa are good, let us increase trade among ourselves, we have sufficient markets for our products, there is no need of going outside EAC or Africa,” said Mr Mandago.
Also present at the opening ceremony were the Principal Secretary State Department of Trade, Dr. Chris Kiptoo and his East African Community counterpart, Dr. Susan Koech, the Director of Trade at the EAC Secretariat, Mr. Alhaji Rashid Kibowa, and members of the East African Confederation of Informal Sector Organization (CISO-EA).
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
To support the role of the Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi sector in the growth of the regional economy, the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with the EAC Partner States and the Confederation of Informal Sector Organization East Africa (CISO-EA), has organized the annual exhibitions since 1999. The exhibitions act as strategic avenues for promoting the sector’s products, transfer of technologies, and promotion of the regional integration process.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Legislative Assembly, Bujumbura, Burundi: December 4th 2018:Day 4 of the Inter-Parliamentary Games recorded mixed results in Bujumbura, Burundi. In football, Parliament of Uganda defeated Parliament of Kenya 1-0 in a tough match played at the Centre Technique du Football in Ngagara, Bujumbura.
The match started on a high note with both teams displaying an exciting game. Uganda’s Striker, Brian Arinaitwe, Hon Muhammad Nsereko and Hon Dennis Obua made good passes but found the backline of Hon Dan Wanyama, Jorum Barasa and Hon OtiendeAmollo proved a tough nut to crack. The tide turned mid-way when the referee awarded Parliament of Uganda a penalty after Hon David Gikaria was adjudged to have felled Hon Peter Ogwang in the box. Hon Muhammad Nsereko scored the resultant kick to give his team the lead.
The game was halted for several minutes when the referee ManirakizaBetrand gave a red card to Parliament of Kenya goalkeeper, Rogers Okwirri for handling the ball outside the penalty box, a decision Kenya protested against. On resumption, a 10-man Kenya side piled pressure to equalize but the defence line of Parliament of Uganda remained solid.
In men’s volleyball Parliament of Kenya has defeated Parliament of Tanzania 3 sets to 0 in an exciting match at the MINISPORT Grounds. Kenya won the first set 25-17 before grabbing a slim 25- 20 lead in the second set.In the third set, Kenya won 25-16 to seal the match. In the second match played at the same venue
In netball, Parliament of Tanzania defeated EALA 87-8 in a one-sided netball match at the ENS Grounds.In the first match of the day, Parliament of Uganda defeated Parliament of Kenya53-Kenya 14.
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For more information, please contact:
Bobi Odiko Senior Public Relations Officer East African Legislative Assembly Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255-27-2508240 Fax: +255-27-2503103 Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036 Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org Web: www.eala.org
About the East African Legislative Assembly: The East African Legislative Assembly is the Legislative Organ of the East African Community. Its Membership consists of a total of 62, of whom 54 are elected Members (9 from each Partner State) and eight ex-officio members (the Ministers responsible for EAC Affairs from the Partner States, the Secretary General of the Community and the Counsel to the Community).The East African Legislative Assembly has legislative functions as well as oversight of all East African Community matters. The enactment of legislation of the Community is put in effect by means of Bills passed by the Assembly and assented to by the Heads of State, and every Bill that has been duly passed and assented to become an Act of the Community and takes precedent over similar legislations in the Partner States. EALA has to date passed 79 pieces of legislation.
East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 4th December14, 2018: The 6th East African Community University Students debate on regional integration kicked off today at the Nkrumah Hall, Julius Nyerere Campus of the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Speaking when he officially opened the debate, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr Charles Njoroge, cautioned young people within the EAC against falling victim to migrant smuggling as they look for greener pastures across national borders.
Mr Njoroge said that crafty persons and cartels had taken advantage of young people seeking better opportunities out of their countries.
Mr Njoroge said that the problem of migrant smuggling had been compounded by insufficient systems and corruption, which hinder national and international efforts to combat transnational and cross-border crimes.
The DSG said that as the integration deepens, there was an overwhelming movement of people across the borders, adding that this free movement comes with various challenges including trafficking of persons, migrant smuggling, drug trafficking and terrorism.
He said that the EAC was undertaking various initiatives to promote continuous dialogue among the youth and enhance their participation in moving the regional integration process forward.
A total of 30 students from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda are participating in the debate that is aimed at picking a Youth Ambassador and Deputy Youth Ambassador from each EAC Partner State. There were no participants from South Sudan.
The theme of this year’s debate is: Border management to address migrant smuggling and corruption at borders for stability and social economic development in the East African Community – Role and Implications of the youth.
“Our Youth Ambassadors are a tested group of young leaders. The selection process is highly competitive and subsequent capacity building programme ensures that the youth leaders are well nurtured and groomed for furthering personal and regional development of EAC,” said Mr Njoroge.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Cuthbert Kimambo, the Deputy Vice Chancellor-Research, at the University of Dar es Salaam, said the debate was a noble initiative that could be used to bring young people to discuss pertinent issued concerning the EAC.
“The University of Dar es Salaam firmly believes that the youth are a key stakeholder in the entire EAC integration process and we need to engage them in matters of East African integration at each step of the way,” said Prof. Kimambo.
Prof. Kimambo said the debate was a perfect venue for identifying young people who were passionate about the integration process and who would in turn sensitize their peers on the EAC integration process.
In his remarks, Mr. Esayas Abebe, the Head of Programme, GIZ Support to the African Union Border Programme, said the debate was a smart endeavour by the EAC to inclusively involve its citizens in order to strengthen the sense of “East African-ness” of its young citizens who are both the present and future of the region.
Mr Abebe said the debate would also inspire policies about tackling cross-border crimes when building an integrated region.
Mr Abebe said that 27 million young people leave their countries of birth to seek employment abroad as international migrants.
In his remarks, the Deputy Ambassador of Germany to Tanzania and EAC, Mr. Jörg Herrera, acknowledged the significance of border management in integration processes. He further emphasized the long standing commitment of Germany in technical and financial support towards integrated border management.
The Deputy Ambassador noted the importance of involving the youth in the effort to combat migrant smuggling and corruption through effective border management. "The youth shall raise awareness about the value of regional integration within the community and form and foster the integration process within the EAC in order to pass on this cooperative spirit to future generations," noted Ambassador Herrera.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
The Summit of EAC Heads of State in 2008 decided on the deepening sensitization and awareness creation for greater political will as a means for realization of the East African Political Federation. University Students Debate and sensitization was adopted as one of the strategies.
The 1st EAC University Students Debate on regional integration was held in August 2012. The aim of the debates is to provide a regional platform to promote dialogue among university students and interest them in advocating for regional integration initiatives.
As an outcome of the debates, two youth are appointed to represent each country as EAC Youth Ambassador and Deputy Youth Ambassador. These Youth Ambassadors act as focal points in their respective universities, collaborate with the EAC Secretariat in sensitizing their peers on the EAC integration process, benefits and challenges. The EAC Council of Ministers declared the EAC University Students Debate an annual event.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Legislative Assembly, Bujumbura, Burundi: December 3rd 2018: The second day of the EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games ended with mixed results in Bujumbura, Burundi. In football, defending champions, Parliament of Uganda showed real intention of retaining the silverware, beating Parliament of Tanzania 2-1 in a pulsating match at the Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium. Uganda took the lead in the 5th minute via a penalty by Hon Muhammad Nsereko following an infringement by a Parliament of Tanzania defender. Midfield dynamo, Hon Ridhwani Kikwete restored parity with a well taken shot mid- halfway for a 1-1 half time break. On resumption, Katumba scored the final goal for Parliament of Uganda.
In the second match of the day, a well-oiled Parliament of Kenya team floored hosts, Parliament of Burundi 2-0. Striker, Senator KipchumbaMurkomen was the toast of the side, netting both goals. However, Parliament of Burundi will rue the missed chances with Hon Denis Karera and CimpayeJean Marie as the main culprits. Parliament of Kenya’s goalkeeper, Rogers Okwirimade several saves in the second half
In netball, Parliament of Uganda whipped Parliament of Tanzania 35-14 in the first netball match. Hon Winnie Kiiza bagged 18 points for the victors while Hon MahewaAntezi scooped 8 points for her country. In the second match, Parliament of Kenya narrowly won Parliament of Burundi 30-26 in a pulsating match. Hon Florence Chemtai got 11 points for her Kenya team while Hon Hon Gisele Misago had 17 points to her credit for Burundi.
In men’s volleyball, Parliament of Tanzania beat Parliament of Uganda 3 Sets to 1 (26-24) (23-25), (25-18) and (25-13). In the second match of the day, Parliament of Burundi defeated Parliament of Kenya 3-1 (24-26), (25-21), (25-16) and (25-17). In women’s volleyball, Parliament of Burundi once again proved superior to Parliament of Kenya defeating them 3 Sets to 2 (25-22), (26-28), (20-25), (25-10) and (15-13).
Today, (December 3), Parliament of Tanzania will play Parliament of Uganda in women’s volleyball while in Men’s category, Parliament of Kenya plays versus Parliament of Uganda.
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For more information, please contact:
Bobi Odiko Senior Public Relations Officer East African Legislative Assembly Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255-27-2508240 Fax: +255-27-2503103 Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036 Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org Web: www.eala.org
About the East African Legislative Assembly: The East African Legislative Assembly is the Legislative Organ of the East African Community. Its Membership consists of a total of 62, of whom 54 are elected Members (9 from each Partner State) and eight ex-officio members (the Ministers responsible for EAC Affairs from the Partner States, the Secretary General of the Community and the Counsel to the Community).The East African Legislative Assembly has legislative functions as well as oversight of all East African Community matters. The enactment of legislation of the Community is put in effect by means of Bills passed by the Assembly and assented to by the Heads of State, and every Bill that has been duly passed and assented to become an Act of the Community and takes precedent over similar legislations in the Partner States. EALA has to date passed 79 pieces of legislation.
The East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC) in collaboration with its board of Commissioners is organizing the Official Launch of the Headquarter of the East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC), located in quartier Kigobe, Republic of Burundi, on 05th December 2018.
The East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC) is an institution of the East African Community (EAC) established by EAC Heads of State on 18th June, 2007 as a mechanism for making available to the community, advise upon all matters of health and health related research and findings necessary for knowledge generation, technological development, policy formulations, practices and related matters. EAHRC is the principal advisory institution to the EAC on Health Research and Development (R&D).
Operationalization of the Commission commenced in July 2015.
As per the decision of the 24th EAC Council of Ministers held in Bujumbura, Burundi, on 26th November 2011 (EAC/CM24/Decision09), the Permanent Headquarters of the Commission is located in the City of Bujumbura in the Republic of Burundi.
The launch of the EAHRC headquarters is expected to bring together Officials from the Government of Burundi, Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Republic of Bujumbura, EAC Secretariat, and Executives of the EAC Institutions, Board of EAHRC Commissioners, EAHRC Stakeholders and EAHRC Staff.
For any information about that event, please contact Ms. Betty Nankya via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mob: +25775568506 Tel: +(257) 22 27 99 80/1/2 +(257)22259715 Bujumbura-BURUNDI Web: http://www.eac.int or www.eac.bi
East African Legislative Assembly, Bujumbura, Burundi: December1st 2018: The EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games has kicked off in Bujumbura, Burundi. The highlight of the day was a friendly match pitting an EAC Select Side featuring legislators from the EAC Partner States and Hallelujah FC in a thrilling encounter at the Prince Louis Rwagasore. Hallelujah FC associated with H.E Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Republic of Burundi, walloped the EAC makeshift side 4-1 with goals from Nsengiyumva Paul (3rd Minute), Saleh Ali Yamutu (12th minute), Nsabimana Jamal (12th Minute) and Muyenga Alex (through a penalty in the 28th Minute). The EAC’s consolation goal was scored by Hon Dennis Karera (from the Burundi National Assembly).
Earlier on, the Speaker of the Burundi National Assembly, Rt Hon Nyabenda Pascal, officiated at the Pre-Tournament Conference called to nurture networking and bonding among the legislators.
In his remarks, Rt Hon Nyabenda underscored the need for ensuring peace continues to prevail in Burundi and the EAC region. He said sport was a uniting factor and key in sensitizing members, staff and citizens from all the Partner States on the integration process and progress realised thereof. He further remarked the Inter-Parliamentary Games had continued to play a key role in uniting East Africans.
“To achieve this goal, such games have to be politically neutral in order to break down barriers and hostilities amongst East Africans, whose dream and destiny are to live together in a Community which has no pseudo borders”, Rt Hon Nyabenda said. The Speaker informed the delegations that the EAC was also expected to help the country (Republic of Burundi) organise peaceful, credible and fair elections in two years’ time.
“Moreover, as you certainly are aware, His Excellency Pierre NKURUNZIZA, President of the Republic of Burundi, will not run as a candidate for the 2020 presidential election. Now, what Burundians are expecting from East Africans is to help them organise peaceful, fair, transparent and inclusive elections in 2020”, Rt Hon Nyabenda said.
Hon Susan Nakawuki, Chair of the EALA Joint Planning Committee of the Games reiterated the importance of nurturing sports for integration.
At the same time, such games enhance interaction with the citizenry of the Partner States, promote cohesiveness and enhance our pride as East Africans”, Hon Nakawuki said. She called for utmost discipline during the 10-day extravaganza.
“I am particularly keen on the issue of discipline and etiquette. It would be of paramount importance that the participating teams, players and officials maintain total discipline and that infringement of any of these agreed regulations are effectively handled by the Disciplinary Committee”, Hon Nakawuki said.
EALA Member, Hon Gideon Gatpan presented a paper on the milestones of the EAC realised to date. The IPG which was mooted 9 years ago has over the years realized several successes. Fundamentally,Parliamentary games are a key aspect of building relations between the EALA and the National Legislatures in the EAC region. The games play a fundamental part in enabling EALA’s interaction with Members of the National Legislatures in the Partner States as envisaged in Article 49 (2a) of the Treaty for the Establishment of EAC.
The tournament disciplines include football, walk-race, netball, golf, athletics, tug-of-war and volleyball. Athletics which takes place at the Stade Olympique (in Nyabugete) will feature races in 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 metres, 800 and 1500 metres respectively for men and women. The 4x 400m relay and the 4x 100m races are also on the cards.
The Games themed: “Accelerating a people-centered EAC by connecting Parliamentarians and citizens through Sports” brings together EALA and the National Legislatures.
On Sunday (December 2),in football, Parliament of Uganda plays Parliament of Tanzania while Parliament of Burundi locks horns with Parliament of Kenya in the next game. In volleyball, Parliament of Uganda will play Parliament of Tanzania before Parliament of Kenya faces Parliament of Burundi. In Women’s volleyball, Parliament of Burundi will play defending champions, Parliament of Kenya in the first match as Parliament of Uganda and Parliament of Tanzania later face-off in the second match of the day.
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For more information, please contact:
Bobi Odiko Senior Public Relations Officer East African Legislative Assembly Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255-27-2508240 Fax: +255-27-2503103 Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036 Email: BOdiko [at] eachq.org Web: www.eala.org
About the East African Legislative Assembly: The East African Legislative Assembly is the Legislative Organ of the East African Community. Its Membership consists of a total of 62, of whom 54 are elected Members (9 from each Partner State) and eight ex-officio members (the Ministers responsible for EAC Affairs from the Partner States, the Secretary General of the Community and the Counsel to the Community).The East African Legislative Assembly has legislative functions as well as oversight of all East African Community matters. The enactment of legislation of the Community is put in effect by means of Bills passed by the Assembly and assented to by the Heads of State, and every Bill that has been duly passed and assented to become an Act of the Community and takes precedent over similar legislations in the Partner States. EALA has to date passed 79 pieces of legislation.
East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 2nd December, 2018: The construction of two major trans-national road infrastructure projects within the East African Community are set to take off in 2019 with funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Mr. Gabriel Negatu, the Director General of AfDB’s Eastern Africa Regional Hub, disclosed that the Bank’s board had approved US$322 million to Burundi and Tanzania to finance the Rumonge-Gitaz and Kabingo-Kasulu-Manyovu road-upgrading project.
Mr. Negatu further said that the funds would also go towards the construction of the One Stop Border Post at Manyovu-Mugina on the Tanzania/Burundi border. Mr. Negatu said the bank would also finance the construction of the Malindi-Mombasa-Lunga Lunga/Horohoro-Tanga-Bagamoyo highway that straddles the coastlines of Kenya and Tanzania.
The AfDB official said that the bank was highly encouraged by the benefits of some of the infrastructure projects it had undertaken and cited the Athi River-Namanga-Arusha road, which had reduced from one day to four hours the journey from Nairobi to Arusha.
Mr. Negatu was speaking during the commissioning of the Namanga OSBP by the Tanzanian President Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli and his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta. Mr. Negatu said the construction and operationalization of OSBPs was in line with the Bank’s integrated approach to infrastructure development.
“This approach entails mainstreaming ‘soft’ components, such as trade facilitation measures in physical infrastructure projects to enhance their efficiency and developmental outcomes. In this context, the Bank availed US$8 million for the construction of the Namanga OSBP on the Kenyan side of the border,” he said, adding that the OSBP on the Tanzanian side had been built with funding from the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The AfDB official disclosed that the Namanga OSBP was part and parcel of the Arusha-Namanga-Athi River road construction project which was carried out with funding of approximately US$147 million comprising US$79 million from AfDB, US$49 million from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and about US$8 million from the governments of Kenya and Tanzania.
In his remarks, EAC Secretary General Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko said that the Namanga OSBP was born out of an agreement between Tanzania and Kenya to upgrade the facilities at the border post in order to facilitate free trade through the efficient movement of goods and people across the border.
“The construction of the Namanga OSBP was part of the completed works for the Arusha-Namanga-Athi River road. The project on both sides was virtually completed end of 2016 with piloting phase taking about one year,” said Amb. Mfumukeko.
Amb. Mfumukeko thanked AfDB and JICA for financial support that had enabled EAC to develop and implement soft infrastructure at the OSBP including interconnectivity, training materials and enabling laws which comprise: The East African OSBPs Act, 2016; The East African OSBPs Regulations, 2017, and; The EAC OSBPs Procedures Manual.
The Secretary General said that research had confirmed that in addition to enhancing Government revenue collections, the OSBPs had considerably reduced the overall dwell times across the EAC borders by between 50% and 70%.
Also present at the function were EAC Ministers Hon. Dr. Augustine Mahiga (Tanzania), Hon. Adan Mohammed (Kenya), East African Legislative Assembly Speaker Hon. Ngoga Martin, East African Court of Justice Judge President Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, EAC Deputies Secretary Generals in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Eng. Steven Mlote, and of the Political Federation Mr. Charles Njoroge. The EAC Director General Customs and Trade, Mr. Kenneth Bagamuhunda was also present.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 1st December, 2018: Tanzanian President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli and his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta today commissioned the Namanga One Stop Border Post on the Kenya/Tanzania border.
The two Heads of State directed border agencies to facilitate small traders by allowing them to operate freely across the borders instead of using threats to demand bribes from them.
The two Presidents said that it was unkind for border agencies to discriminate against small traders in favour of big entrepreneurs yet the former were the mainstay of the East African economies.
“We as governments are here to facilitate the people of our two countries to do business. We are not in the business of doing business,” said President Kenyatta.
President Kenyatta, however, warned that operating freely across the borders was not a blank cheque for engaging illegal business activities like smuggling, gun-running, drug-trafficking and trading in wildlife parts. He urged business people to obey the law by engaging in lawful business only.
In his remarks, President Magufuli said that one the major obstacles to cross border trade in Africa was the lack of trade facilitation, citing numerous delays at the ports, national borders and checkpoints on the roads.
President Magufuli cited a World Bank report which indicates that lack of trade facilitation increases the costs of doing business in Africa by 75%. This had hindered intra-continental trade in Africa making it lag behind other continents on this parameter.
He said that the EAC had therefore embarked on the construction of 15 One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) across the region so as to promote intra-regional trade. President Magufuli said that the completion and operationalization of the OSBPs had come with benefits especially for travellers, tourists and traders by reducing the amount of time they spent at the border.
President Magufuli noted that the operationalization of the Namanga OSBP had seen revenues on the Tanzanian side rise from TShs3 billion to TShs4.8 billion in the 2017/2018 Financial Year, adding that it was projected to increase to TShs5.8 billion in the current Financial Year.
The Tanzanian Head of State said that the OSBPs were supposed to be a catalyst for trade and warned border officials against defeating this purpose by engaging in corruption in the OSBPs.
The Heads of State further called for increased investment and trade between the two countries which they described as made of people who shared a common history, cultures and languages, adding that people from the two countries were therefore not enemies.
“We should break down the borders drawn by our former colonial powers. East Africans are one people,” said President Kenyatta. President Magufuli said Kenya was the third biggest investor in Tanzania after the United Kingdom and South Africa, and called on Tanzanian entrepreneurs as well to invest in Kenya and other EAC countries.
The two presidents thanked the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for funding the construction of the Arusha-Namanga-Athi River road.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Gabriel Negatu, the Director General of the AfDB’s Eastern Africa Regional Hub, disclosed that the Bank would finance the construction of the Malindi-Mombasa-Lunga Lunga/Horohoro-Tanga-Bagamoyo Highway at the cost of US$322 million.
The Federal Republic of Germany has also provided support to the EAC Secretariat on the operationalization of the OSBPs in particular through substantial technical cooperation. The German financed “AU Border Programme at the EAC” has supported the EAC Secretariat through GIZ to develop and validate the EAC regional training curriculum on OSBPs aimed at building the technical capacity of border agencies to better manage border crossing points in a more secured, coordinated and efficient manner.
A Training of Trainers on the OSBP regional curriculum was conducted with over three hundred officers at 12 OSBPs trained in the past two years. This year, the programme supported an assessment of the operationalisation of OSBPs and the impact of border management in the regional integration agenda as well as the development of the EAC e-immigration policy.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
To date out of the 15 border posts earmarked to operate as OSBPs, 12 have been completed while 10 are now operational. The completed and operational OSBPs are Gasenyi/Nemba, Ruhwa, Rusumo, Holili/Taveta, Kagitumba/Mirama Hills, Mutukula, Kabanga/Kobero, Malaba, Busia and Namanga. The completed but non-operational OSBPs are Lunga Lunga/Horohoro and Isebania/Sirare. Those that have not been constructed are Katuna/Katuna, Kanyaru/Akanyaru and Mugina Mannyovu.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
