PRESIDENT MUSEVENI DELIVERS THE STATE OF EAC ADDRESS

President Yoweri Museveni has this afternoon delivered the State of EAC Address at a Special Sitting at the Parliament of Rwanda in Kigali, Rwanda.

In the Address, President Museveni has reiterated the need for the region to resolve existing strategic bottlenecks if the EAC is to spur integration and to enable citizens enjoy the accrued benefits. The President maintained that it was time for the region to eye political unity as a stabilising factor to development and called on the East African Legislative Assembly to use its legislative agenda and mandate to support the same.

The President in essence, told the EAC to strive to solve what he called ‘the basic yet fundamental challenges’ dogging the bloc as it moves towards the tactical areas. 

“There are a number of strategic bottlenecks which are hampering development in the region.  However, two main issues are with regards to the existence of small markets and inadequate infrastructure, especially the energy issue’ President Museveni remarked.

The Head of State affirmed that during his tenure as the Chairperson of the Summit, he would prioritise on infrastructure development to enable the region take its flight to the next level.  ‘I have recently visited Russia and held discussions with the President.  I expect some investors to begin talking business with the EAC soon’, President Museveni said.

He also undertook to push for the amendments to the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC in response to a request by the Speaker of EALA, Rt. Hon Dr. Margaret Nantongo Zziwa.

The Chair of the Summit noted that the EAC integration was the most progressive and with the brightest future since it aims for a key ultimate stage which is the political integration.

‘Though economic integration is good, there are certain crucial issues that it may fail to address – and which a Political Federation will cushion the region against’, President Museveni added.  He stated that a formula was needed to work how to share benefits arising from the Common Market Protocol.

‘We blame the Europeans for decolonising us – but apart from Ethiopia who were not colonised, the rest of us suffered since we were politically weak’ the President remarked.

‘Africa has a larger area in terms of squares per miles as compared to the likes of China, India and the US and the continent is fertile and well watered.  But we have failed to take advantage of our political strengths’, he added.

The President was categorical that such a move would ensure that Africa taps into further economic growth and enables a stronger voice in the international arena.  In the regard, the Head of State cited the need to harness energy and electricity for development.  He reminded the legislators that Africa’s Kilowatt per capita was extremely low.

“Uganda has 150 kilowatt per capita compared to South Africa and Libya which are edging close to 4200 Kilowatts.   The United States has 12,400 kilowatt per capita and more action is necessary on our part,’ President Museveni said.

The President’s speech delved into other strategic bottlenecks which he termed destructive to regional integration.   He cited tribal, religious and gender ideological disorientations, lack of viable pillars in the judicial and defence sectors leading to collapse of state authority, attacks on the Private Sector initiatives and under-development of human resources and skills.  Other challenges include an under-developed service sector, lack of industrialisation and lack of democracy.

The Chair of the Summit however noted that the region and Africa was on the path to recovery and had started correcting the wrongs. The President tasked the EAC to address existing weaknesses as it explores the continental move.   The President cited a number of challenges including the Non-Tariff Barriers as contributing to the weakening of the integration process.

In attendance was the Rt. Hon. Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo, President of the Senate, Rt. Hon. Rose Mukantabana, Speaker of Rwanda Chamber of Deputies and Hon Shem Bageine, Chairperson, EAC Council of Ministers.  Others were the EAC Secretary General, Amb Richard Sezibera, several dignitaries and high ranking government officials.  

On her part, the Speaker of EALA, Rt. Hon Dr Margaret Nantongo Zziwa congratulated the Summit for the wise leadership noting that citizens had continued to enjoy the benefits of integration.  The Speaker however called on the Council of Ministers to bring forth more Bills for debate and legislation.

She remarked that more was required to be done to realise the Common Market Protocol and called on the Partner States to immediately enable their domestic laws to conform to the Protocol.

“Specifically, the Common Market Protocol which was signed three years ago spells out a number of benefits for the region including the free movement of persons, labour, goods and services among others.  We are yet to see real dynamism on the part of the Partner States to facilitate the implementation of the Protocol but we remain hopeful that they will act. Steps like issuance of national identity cards will go a long way in facilitating the free movement of the people especially the common person”, the Speaker remarked.

The Speaker once again called for the removal of Non-Tariff Barriers which she maintained continued to hamper business.

“Inadequate infrastructure bottlenecks, particularly roads, railways and energy have also hindered progress in a number of ways. NTBs continue to pose a big threat to the free flow of business in the region and this limits the people of East Africa from enjoying the benefits of integration. The time has come for the EAC region to collectively seek permanent solutions to the removal of NTBs”, the Speaker said.

In his remarks culminating in the vote of thanks, Hon Jeremie Ngendakumana hailed the President for the remarks which he noted were progressive. The Plenary which has been taking place in Kigali, Rwanda since April 12, 2013, winds up business tomorrow.

 Speaker of EALA, Rt. Hon Dr Margaret Nantongo Zziwa welcomes President Yoweri Museveni at the Parliament of Rwanda

EAC One Stop Border Posts Bill inches a step closer to Law

EALA has today passed the One Stop Border Posts Bill, 2012, paving way for it to become Community Law if assented to by the EAC Heads of State.

The object of the Bill, initiated by the EAC Council of Ministers, is to provide for the establishment of One Stop Border Posts (OSBP) in the Community in order to facilitate trade through the efficient movement of goods and people within the Community.  Under the arrangement, Partner States shall implement one stop border processing arrangements by establishing and designating control zones at the respective border posts.

The Bill in addition seeks to extend Partner States’ national laws relating to border control officers of adjoining Partner States permitting their free movement within the controlled zone(s) in the performance of their duties, without producing passports, but by simply producing their appropriate identity. 

The Bill makes provision for the application of border control laws and provides for institutional arrangements in the co-ordination and monitoring of the one stop border posts.  In so doing however, the Bill does not affect the rights of any adjoining Partner State(s) to take temporary measures in the interest of defence, security, public safety and public order.

Common Border posts designated in the EAC as One Stop Border Posts include the Taveta-Holili border and the Namanga border (Kenya-United Republic of Tanzania), Busia and Malaba borders (Kenya – Uganda) and the Kanyaru-Akanyaru border (Burundi-Rwanda).  Others are the Mutukula border (United Republic of Tanzania-Uganda), Gasenyi-Nemba border (Burundi, Rwanda) and Lungalunga-Horohoro border (Kenya – United Republic of Tanzania).

Debate on the Bill was preceded by the tabling of a Report of the Committee on Communications, Trade and Investment presented by the Chairperson, Hon Dan Kidega. The report underscores the need for Partner States to develop, upgrade and modernise the required infrastructural facilities and to enhance technological advancement to enable efficient and effective implementation of the Bill.

The report was filed as a result of public hearings held in the Partner States on March 6-12, 2013 and April 11, 2013 to collate views from different stakeholders.  The Committee at that point received views from customs officials, clearing and forwarding agents and members of the business community among others.

The report urges the Council of Ministers to conduct sensitisation programs on the OSBP to the populace and to fast-track the process of processing the needed regulations.  ‘It is true the OSBP has been operating on some border points on bilateral arrangements within the Partner States; therefore the law is critical because it provides a regional legal framework’, the Report said in part.

At debate time, Hon Shy-Rose S. Bhanji commended the Council of Ministers for initiating the Bill noting that it would reduce the unnecessary bureaucracies at the border posts.  ‘This is a major achievement and we want the capacities of the personnel at the borders to be built so as to enhance service delivery’, the legislator remarked.  Hon Mike K. Sebalu noted that it was necessary for the OSBP initiative to be rolled out to all borders when finances permit so as to demystify free movement.   ‘Integration is people centred and we must make the processes easy to implement the Common Market Protocol’, he noted. 

Hon Joseph Kiangoi said the Bill would enable the region to open up for trade terming the region ‘a major economic bloc’ in the continent and bloc. Hon Frederic Ngenzebuhoro said the implementation of the Bill would reduce corruption and significantly eliminate bribes.  Hon Mukasa Mbidde and Hon Abubakar Zein also rose in support of the Bill. 

The Chair of the EAC Council of Ministers, Hon Shem Bageine remarked that the spirit of working together (EALA and the Council of Ministers) would be the hallmark towards ensuring integration.  He reiterated the Council’s pledge to put in place regulations to support the Act when implemented.  

 “It is our desire and aspiration for example that during the implementation of the Act, the terms and conditions of staff working together to facilitate the OSBP are harmonised to retain staff of high calibre”, the Minister stated.

The Bill successfully passed through the second reading with amendments during the Committee Stage before it was passed for its third reading.

Tomorrow (Wednesday, April 24, 2013), the Chair of the Summit of EAC Heads of State, President Yoweri Museveni is expected to deliver the State of EAC Address to the Assembly

The Chair of the Council of Ministers, Hon Shem Bageine.  The Council of Ministers tabled the One Stop Border Posts Bill, 2012