Press Release

EALA passes key report on governance and project performance issues in EAC Institutions

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A key report of the oversight activity of EAC Institutions with regards to governance, project performance was today adopted by the Assembly.

The Report presented to the House by Chair of the Accounts Committee, Hon. Jeremie Ngendakumana emanates from oversight activities carried out by the Accounts Committee last month (February 2016) following queries obtained from the EAC Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 30th June 2014.

It also set to establish the adherence to the extent of status of implementation of the Assembly’s recommendations. The Committee visited the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO) and the EAC Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA) in Jinja and Entebbe respectively.

The Committee reported that the oversight activity at the Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) which was envisaged was not undertaken as the heads of the institution were away as at time of the activity. The Committee however received information on governance and its adherence to the Assembly’s recommendations sent by the IUCEA.

The objectives of the assessment were to assess whether governance and management systems of the institutions are good enough to guarantee performance and proper discharge of duties. It further sought to establish the implementation of the Assembly’s recommendations, strengthen governance and management systems of EAC Institutions and to establish extent to which the said institutions apply modern governance and management of applied technologies.

At the LVFO, the Committee reported the need for Council of Ministers to fast track accession of other Partner States to the LVFO  as well as the need to urge the Council of Ministers to avail current data of fish to LVFO for updates. This the Committee ascertains, arises from the fact that the quality of fish is declining despite achievements and initiatives by LVFO. Therefore, the Committee informed the House that it was vital to carry out comprehensive sensitisation, provide all amenities and other facilities to fish farmers to spur increase in numbers.

The Committee generally noted progress with regards to the status of implementation of the Assembly’s recommendations at the Jinja- based LVFO. The Assembly however calls on the Audit Commission to report during the next audit on a number of areas including the unclaimed Value Added Tax (VAT) and other outstanding areas such as the persisting overdue receivables. Other thematic areas include need to harmonise guidelines for development of fish cages, setting of regional standards for fish-feed and evidence of a disaster recovery plan.

On CASSOA, the Assembly observed that the budgetary constraints at the institution, prevent it from attracting qualified personnel and thus the Organogram is yet to be filled. In this regard, the Assembly urges the Council of Ministers to amend the CASSOA Protocol to enable the Assembly to approve its budget in accordance with the Treaty for the EAC. The Assembly is also categorical that CASSOA management relays its progress reports to the House.

It also wants the institution to relay to the Audit Commission progress on status of implementation of the Assembly’s recommendations with regards to its commendation to segregate duties within the payment process systems and on expenditure by the institution that is inadequately supported.

At debate time, Hon. Shyrose Bhanji remarked that Lake Victoria was a key component of integration from a multi-sectoral approach.“It is a source of food, employment and income for many people in East Africa. Yet one of the challenges facing the LVFO is funding. It is high time Mr Speaker sir for the LVFO to be empowered and strengthened so we realise benefits”, Hon. Bhanji said.

She also called on the Council of Ministers to ensure adequate sensitisation activities of the LVFO to create awareness.

Hon. Yves Nsabimana said it was important for Partner States to remit their contributions on time so that the programmes and projects are on time. “Lack of adequate contribution has caused problems to LVFO including late recruitment and borrowing from the general reserve funds among others. In CASSOA, the institution is not attractive to personnel and consequentially, key positions at the institution are not filled.”, he said.

Hon. Mumbi Ngaru remarked that the IUCEA had failed to honour the meeting called by the Assembly. “They opted to send a junior officer who could not interface with us”, she said, adding that the institution had eluded EALA for close to four years.

Hon. Bernard Mulengani lamented over the zero incremental budgeting, which, he remarked was depriving the EAC of progress. “I appeal to Council to check on some of the decisions of the Finance and Administration Committee, that constantly proposes the zero-budget increment”, Hon. Mulengani said.

Hon. Christophe Bazivamo decried the decreasing production of fisheries in Lake Victoria as well as in other lakes and rivers and said it was necessary for adequate fish feeds to be provided.

Also rising in support of the report were Hon. Pierre Celestin Rwigema, Hon. Emmanuel Nengo and Hon. Frederic Ngenzebuhoro

 

EAC Secretary General addresses Assembly

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EAC Secretary General, Amb. Dr Richard Sezibera yesterday delivered a moving Speech as the Assembly completed week one of its deliberations.

The EAC Secretary General's speech gave a score-card of deliverables during his tenure at the helm before an attentive House. The Secretary General cited five key areas in the broad vision and remarked that under his five year tour of duty, the bloc had witnessed significant achievements.

On the Customs Union, Amb. Dr Sezibera remarked that sustained campaigns to ensure realisation of the Single Customs Territory (SCT) had duly paid off.

"Today, should one visit the Port of Dar es Salaam right here, you will witness revenue officials from the rest of the Partner States clearing goods", he said.

The time within which it takes to clear goods has reduced tremendously. At the central corridor it now takes 3 days, down from the 18 days while in the northern corridor, there is significant reduction from 21 days to 5 days," Amb. Dr Sezibera said.

He remarked that there was sustained pressure to rid the region of Non-Tariff Barriers and such, were paying off while the port clearance times were also reduced from three weeks to under ten days.

On the Common Market, Amb. Dr Sezibera remarked that three Partner States, the Republics of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, had employed the Inter-State passes to enhance free movement and said Republic of Burundi and the United Republic of Tanzania would soon join in to the initiative. The EAC boss termed the recent introduction of the International EAC e-Passport as a critical milestone in the integration dispensation.

The Secretary General further termed the conclusion and ratification of the Monetary Union as a major milestone. "Despite the skepticism as a result of the challenges witnessed in Europe, the Monetary Union Protocol was completed and speedily ratified", Amb. Dr Sezibera said. He further remarked that the Central Banks had established a real-time settlement mode paving way for the EAC payment system to be a reality.

On other areas, the Secretary General informed the House of the tremendous progress realized. He said the ten year infrastructure programme would set the region apart from other parts of the continent in terms of competitiveness.

"For the first time, the region is laying the Standard Railway Gauge and making unprecedented advances in investment of energy. The region shall soon be able to transfer power from one Partner State to another as a result of the inter-connectors", he said.

The Secretary General stated that citizens of the region were now fully involved in the integration process.

The Secretary General further remarked that he was elated to be leaving the Community at a time when its Vision is in place. The EAC Vision 2050 anticipates the contrive of the bloc into an upper middle income region within a secure and politically united East Africa based on the principles of inclusiveness and accountability.

"It is in this era that per capita income is expected to rise up to USD 10,000 per person up from the current per capita income of USD 1000", Amb. Sezibera said.

At the same time, the region intends to create about 2.3 million jobs by 2032 in the industrial and manufacturing sectors.

The Secretary General of the EAC further informed the House of the completion of the Institutional Review of the EAC and said the Directorates of Finance and Planning had been ISO certified.

The Secretary General said there were challenges that need to be addressed including harmonization and approximation of laws in the Partner States to conform to the Common Market Protocol.

The remarks of the Secretary General were delivered to the House pursuant to Rule 40 of the EALA Rules of Procedure of the Assembly and the matter was not debated. It is anticipated that a Motion for a Resolution on the subject matter may be introduced for debate when the House resumes next week.

Assembly enacts legislation on Disaster Risk Reduction

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EALA this afternoon passed the Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Bill, 2013, paving way for the region to take necessary disaster preparedness, management, protection and mitigation measures as well as in handling disasters in a more co-ordinated way.

The Bill sailed through smoothly at the Committee stage with Members adopting clause after clause of the same or with amendments before it came up for Third Reading. Debate on the Bill had commenced yesterday before the Speaker ruled that it be finalised this afternoon.

The Object of the EAC Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management Bill 2013 is to provide a legal framework for the intervention and assistance for people affected by climate change and natural related hazards and to protect the natural environment through integration of comprehensive disaster risk reduction and management practices in the EAC.

The passage of the Bill is a culmination of about two years of work during which time the Assembly has consistently advocated for it.

Debate on the Bill, originally moved for second reading in August 2013, was halted following a request by the Council of Ministers to consult and consider its policy implications. At the same time, the move was to allow for pursuit of the ratification of the EAC Protocol on Peace and Security which among other objectives, provides for co-operation in DRR management and crisis response. The Protocol on Peace and Security has since been ratified by all Partner States.

At the sitting in January 2016 in Arusha, debate was once again adjourned. This was occasioned by a Motion moved by the Chair of the Council of Ministers, Hon. Dr Susan A. Kolimba. The Motion sailed through but after further amendment tabled by Chair of the Regional Affairs and Resolution Committee, Hon. Abdullah Mwinyi, under Rule 30(a) to have the Bill brought back to the House at the March Sitting.

The Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo said the Bill anticipates support for both natural and man-made disasters. Yesterday, the Minister for EAC, Republic of Burundi, Hon. Leontine Nzeyimana informed the House the Council of Ministers had no objection to the passage of the Bill.

At debate time, Hon. Judith Pareno said the Bill had been before the House for a period of two years. “I recall that at time of public hearings and immediately thereafter, we had several disasters including the fire at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the Central Market in Bujumbura and even the Westgate tragedy”, the legislator said.

“Disasters do not come knocking doors or give notice”, it is necessary that we pass the Bill”, she added.

Hon. Mike Kennedy Sebalu said the passage of the Bill was timely so as to mitigate the different disasters that have befallen the region.

“The frequency of disasters that have befallen our Partner States cannot be over-emphasised. We must create an environment that is less of disasters and thus a legal framework is the right way to go, Hon. Sebalu noted.

Hon. Adam Kimbisa said fire, drought and terrorism were some of the disasters the region continued to face. “All disasters care less about when to occur, where or when to hit,” the legislator said. He remarked that countries in the west had invested better in coping mechanisms than in the continent. “We must equally invest in risk reduction activities”, he added.

Hon. Martin Ngoga said the passage of the law was urgent. “It is a reflection of how prepared we are to protect the lives of the citizens”, Hon. Ngoga said.

Also rising in support of the debate was Hon. Saoli Ole Nkanae, Hon. Dora Byamukama, Hon. Sarah Bonaya and Hon. Valerie Nyirahabineza.

The passage of the Bill whose original mover is Hon. Patricia Hajabakiga, is a culmination of a process whose idea began five years ago. In December 2010, EALA Committee on Agriculture Tourism and Natural Resources held key discussions with a delegation from the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR).

The meeting was called to raise awareness within the legislature on the importance of disaster risk reduction as an instrument for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). EALA and UNISDR further agreed to collaborate to develop a model legislation which can be used to support the efforts of the EAC Partner States in building disaster resilience in East Africa.

The next stage is the process of Assent by the EAC Heads of State in line with Article 63 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.

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