Posted in Press Release
Debate on the EAC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Bill 2013 shall now be prioritised during the next Plenary in March 2016. The move follows the adjournment of debate on the Bill occasioned by a Motion moved yesterday by the Chair of the Council of Ministers, Hon. Dr Susan A. Kolimba. The Motion however sailed through after further amendment tabled by Chair of the Regional Affairs and Resolution Committee, Hon. Abdullah Mwinyi.
Moving the substantive motion, the Chair of Council of Ministers indicated that more time was necessary to conclude consultations on the Bill vis-a-vis the relevant provisions of the EAC Treaty and the Protocol on Peace and Security and requested the House for debate to be pushed until August 2016.
“Clearly, the nature of the Bill needs handling at a technical level by the relevant Sectoral Councils under the guidance of the Sectoral Council on Environment and Natural Resources, which is yet to conclude its policy input on this matter”, the Chair of Council said.
“Since 2013, consultations have been going on relating to the Bill. The 2nd Extraordinary Sectoral Council on Environment and Natural Resources held on 12th March 2015 considered the Bill and directed the EAC Secretariat to a technical paper on an appropriate institutional arrangement for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management by April 2015 and share the technical paper with Partner States for comments”, Hon. Dr Kolimba said.
“Furthermore, the Council directed Partner States to submit their comments on the technical paper on an appropriate institutional arrangement on EAC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management by 15th May 2015,” the Minister added.
She noted that the Council of Ministers would be ready to bring its input into the Bill in August 2016.
However, majority of Members while opposing the Motion cited the urgent need to dispose off with the Bill, stating, that disasters did not wait for time.
“We must be seen to be addressing the plight of the people and urgently so”, Hon. Mike Sebalu remarked. Hon. Abubakar Zein called for the fast tracking of the remaining stages necessary to pass the Bill, while Hon. AbuBakr Ogle said the Bill had been on the cards for far too long. Hon. Dora Byamukama said the Summit of EAC Heads of State were on record and had given directive of the need to pass the Bill and that of Cross-Border Legal Practice.
“Let us not belabour disaster risks yet the public hearings were completed sometime back”, Hon. Judith Pareno said. Hon. Patricia Hajabakiga, the original mover of the Bill gave a background of its genesis and termed its enactment as long overdue. Others who contributed to the debate included Hon. Shyrose Bhanji who said it was important for Partner States to make their input to facilitate ownership whence passed, Hon. Mumbi Ngaru and Hon. Ussi Maryam.
Hon. Abdullah Mwinyi then rose to move an amendment to the Motion under Rule 30(a) of the Rules of Procedure to provide for adjournment until March 2016 at the next Plenary Sitting. The amendment was seconded by Hon. Martin Ngoga, Hon. Adam Kimbisa and Hon. Chris Opoka.
The Objective of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Bill, 2013 is to provide a legal framework at regional and national level for timely intervention in disaster situations and to protect the people and the natural environment affected by disaster through comprehensive disaster risk reduction and management.
The Bill which was due for the 3rd reading at the 4th meeting of the 2nd Session in Kampala, Uganda in January 2014, but was yet adjourned at the request by the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers.
As per the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, after its first Reading, the Bill was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources for scrutiny. The Committee subsequently scheduled public hearings on the Bill in the EAC Partner States in order to enlist more holistic views from the stakeholders of the Bill.
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. 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.
Posted in Press Release
EALA has this afternoon sworn in Hon. Dr Susan Alphonce Kolimba, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, East African, Regional and International Co-operation in the United Republic of Tanzania, as an Ex-Officio Member. The Oath of Allegiance to the House was administered by the Clerk of EALA, before the EALA Speaker, Rt Hon. Daniel F. Kidega.
Hon. Dr Kolimba took the oath in accordance with Rule 5 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly. The Rules of Procedure say in part 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”.
The EAC Treaty under Article 48 provides that the Assistant Minister, Deputy Minister of Minister of State may only participate in the meetings of the Assembly when the substantive Minister responsible for East African Community Affairs is unable to participate.
The Deputy Minister was ushered into the House by Hon. Angela Kizigha and Hon. Shyrose Bhanji.
In her maiden speech, Hon. Dr Kolimba who immediately assumes the Chair of the EAC Council of Ministers, assured the House that the United Republic of Tanzania is fully committed to the ideals of integration and of her intention to ensure the objectives of the Community are realised.
Hon. Dr Kolimba was appointed Deputy Minister by President John Pombe Magufuli in the cabinet named in December 2015.
Prior to her appointment, Hon. Dr Kolimba rose through the ranks of the academic world to become Dean, Faculty of Law at the Open University of Tanzania, a position she held from 2010 to late 2015. Dr Kolimba, whose background is entrenched in law, taught in the institution for a number of years and also served in various administrative capacities.
Hon. Dr Kolimba holds a Ph.D in Law from the Russian Peoples’ Friendship University, Moscow and a Master’s degree from the same institution.