President Nkurunziza launches EALA strategic plan

At the opening of the 2^nd Meeting of the 2^nd Session of the 3^rd Assembly yesterday, President Pierre Nkurunziza also launched the EALA Strategic Plan (2013-2018) in a colourful ceremony at the Burundi National Assembly.  

The President urged the Assembly to re-double its efforts in the next five years as the EAC consolidates on the gains already realized.   The President lauded EALA for anchoring the Strategic Plan on people-centredness and reiterated the need for citizens to be the core and centre stage of the process.

“The main achievements and lessons learnt in the last five years have no doubt played a fundamental role in helping EALA to develop and embrace its strategies for the future. The next five years should thus see the Assembly become more innovative, proactive and focused towards ensuring it remains on the cutting edge of regional integration” he noted.

 The President challenged EALA to rise to the occasion and serve the region more emphatically.

 “The process of formulation and completion of the Strategic Plan by the 3^rd Assembly is therefore only just the beginning.  The real work starts now.  The real test comes in the implementation of the set objectives”, the Head of State said.

 The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon Margaret Nantongo Zziwa noted that the formulation of the Strategic Plan was an all-inclusive process involving the EALA Commission, Members, staff and other stakeholders.

The Strategic Plan has six main strategic issues were the EALA’s main Administrative Autonomy, Capacity and Efficiency, negotiations for the EAC Pillars of integration and EALA’s Corporate image, institutional status, growth and development.

The other strategic plans are capacity building in regional Parliamentary Practices, effective, sustainable and Results-oriented communication and sensitization on EAC integration and robust and effective Monitoring and Evaluation.

 The Strategic Plan is expected to be financed over the next five years to the tune of over USD 118,000.   The finances shall be sourced from the EAC as well as development partners.

 The formulation of the Strategic Plan which is the second such Plan for the Assembly was supported by the Association of European Parliamentarians for Africa (AWEPA) and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD).  The WFD has further agreed to support the publication of a pocket friendly and popular version.

 The President goes for a handshake with the EALA Speaker, Rt. Hon Margaret Nantongo Zziwa after the successful launch of the Strategic Plan