The EAC Bureau of Speakers has today rallied its support for the full operationalization of the East African Parliamentary Institute (EAPI) in a move geared towards building institutional capacities of Legislators and Parliamentary staff in the region.
The 9th Meeting of the Speakers Forum under which the Speakers met in Nairobi, Kenya, also elected the Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania, Rt. Hon Anna Makinda as its new Chairperson, taking over from the Speaker of the Kenya National Assembly, Rt. Hon Justin Muturi.
The EAPI is an initiative of EALA in consultation with the National Assemblies and is envisaged to be established as an institution of the EAC. In September 2011, EALA passed the East African Parliamentary Institute (EAPI) Bill, 2011 providing the legal framework for the establishment of Institute. The Act inter alia establishes a mechanism for capacity and skills development to promote professionalism in Parliaments and National Assemblies.
The EAPI Act came into force last year following the Assent by Heads of State of the EAC Partner State. However, the operationalization of the Act has not yet taken effect. “Its commencement now needs to take effect so that other operations follow, and I urge the Speakers to follow up with the Ministers to ensure the same is done”, the Speaker of the Kenya National Assembly, Rt. Hon Justin Muturi stated.
Today’s meeting was attended by the EALA Speaker, Rt. Hon Margaret Nantongo Zziwa, Rt Hon Justin Muturi, Speaker, Kenya National Assembly, Rt Hon Mukabalisa Donatille, Speaker of the Parliament of Rwanda, Chamber of Deputies, Rt. Hon Rebecca Kadaga, Speaker, Parliament of Uganda, Rt. Hon Ekwe Ethuro, Speaker of the Senate of Kenya, Rt. Hon Anna Makinda, Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania and the Deputy Speaker of the Burundi National Assembly, Hon Francois Kabura. In attendance were the Clerks and senior staff representing the National Assemblies and EALA.
In his opening remarks, Rt. Hon Justin Muturi acknowledged the contribution of the Speakers for their contribution to the cherished dream of a united East Africa. He remarked that Kenya National Assembly remained committed to the fast tracking of the integration process.
“As heads of our respective Legislatures, we have a key role to play in fast tracking the integration process by, inter alia ensuring peace and security in the region as well as formulating Laws that target the prosperity of the region”, Rt. Hon Muturi remarked.
He informed the Speakers that Kenya National Assembly had this week debated on a number of EAC issues including the Single Customs Territory, the 2nd Parliamentary Workshop on Climate Change, Annual Budget for the Year 2014/15 and the Internal Audit System of EAC institutions.
The Speaker of EALA, Rt. Hon Margaret Nantongo Zziwa lauded the Speakers for supporting EALA to undertake its programmes in the capitals.
The major activities launched by the Speakers Bureau to enhance Article 49 (2) a and Article 65 have successfully continued.
Rt. Hon Zziwa cited some of the activities undertaken as rotational Sittings in the Partner States, the Inter-Parliamentary Relations Seminar (Nanyuki Series) and the Inter-Parliamentary Games.
In her statement, Rt. Hon Anna Makinda noted that the EAC had made remarkable strides in the integration progress saying that there was no point of return. Rt. Hon Makinda noted that the United Republic of Tanzania had ratified the Monetary Union Protocol on June 28, 2014. She stated that the United Republic of Tanzania was currently re-writing its new Constitutional dispensation.
The Speaker of the Parliament of Rwanda, Rt. Hon Mukabalisa Donatille, on her part, remarked that her Assembly and country were totally committed to the integration process and were looking forward to the operationalization of key laws including the One Stop Border Post (OSBP).
She noted that Rwanda Parliament had a remarkable number of women in the Chamber of Deputies following the Parliamentary elections in September 2013and this was pegged at 64%.
“This is an expression of the continued commitment and political will of Rwanda towards gender equality and women’s empowerment”, Hon Mukabalisa said.
The Deputy Speaker of the Burundi National Assembly, Hon Francois Kabura called for the strengthening of peace and security in the region and said Burundi had established the Truth and Reconciliation Committee (TRC) which would play a key role after the 2015 national elections.
Hon Kabura remarked that his country was looking forward towards the improvement of the infrastructure especially that connecting to the Central Corridor to boost economic development of the region.
The Bureau of Speakers undertook to tighten collaboration of EALA and the National Assemblies as provided for under Article 65 of the Treaty. In addition, the Bureau of Speakers undertook to continue with advocacy efforts to engage with the highest level of leadership in the region.
Last year, the Bureau of Speakers formally submitted a request to the Summit of EAC Heads of State to consider the Speakers’ Bureau as an Organ. The 11th Extra-Ordinary Summit of Heads of State however considered it not appropriate for the Bureau to be transformed into an Organ of the Community, but, rather encouraged the Speakers to enhance the relationship between the Regional Assembly and National Parliaments.
The meeting was informed that Parliaments had established a Standing Committee solely responsible for EAC Affairs. The Committees are charged with deliberating on matters of integration and to report back to the Assemblies.
The meeting hailed the Assemblies for amending their respective Rules of Procedure to incorporate the harmonized Rules of Procedure on how to handle EALA business. Only the Burundi National Assembly is yet to finalise the process but the matter is set for completion soon according to the Deputy Speaker, Hon Kabura. All other Assemblies now have the modalities in place of bringing the business of EALA for respective debate.
On the Inter-Parliamentary Games, the Bureau of Speakers arrived at the decision to hold the said Games in Arusha, Tanzania with EALA playing as host. This is due to challenges in the respective calendars of the other Assemblies. Initially, it was anticipated that Parliament of Rwanda would host the Games. However, the suggested dates (Dec 7-14, 2014) coincide with Rwanda’s National Consultative Dialogue, rendering it impossible for the Parliament to organize the Games.
The Bureau of Speakers further urged all Partner States to remove all NTBs and called for the matter to be addressed as a matter of urgency. The Speakers thus urged the Assemblies to enhance their oversight role in ensuring the NTBs were removed if the objectives of the EAC are to be realised.
ENDS
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For more Information, contact:
Bobi Odiko,
Senior Public Relations Officer;
East African Legislative Assembly;
Tel: +255-27-2508240
Cell: +255 787 870945, +254-733-718036;
Email: bodiko@eachq.org
Web: https://www.eala.org
Arusha, Tanzania
