The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) commenced its 1st Meeting of the 3rd Session of the 3rd Assembly this afternoon at the Karimjee Hall in Dar es Salaam. The Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania, Rt. Hon Anna Makinda remarked that Integration was key and called for concerted efforts to ensure it remains people centred. “I salute the good work of EALA over the last 13 years when it comes to sensitizing the people of East Africa”, Rt. Hon Makinda remarked.
Rt. Hon Makinda noted that Parliament of Tanzania was committed to the integration process and termed the recent ratification of the Monetary Union Protocol as a unique example and case in point. The United Republic of Tanzania is the first country in the EAC region to ratify the Protocol.
Rt. Hon Makinda termed some of the engagements with EALA as the Inter-Parliamentary Games and the Inter-Parliamentary Relations Seminar (Nanyuki) series where Tanzania and other legislators engage and exchange ideas on integration.
The Speaker noted that Parliaments in the region had established specific committees to address regional integration matters.
The Speaker however cited the need to forge closer mechanisms between the two Parliaments.
“We need to find ways to strengthen and effectively communicate about integration for the sake of the citizens”, Rt. Hon Makinda stated.
Rt. Hon Makinda reiterated that EALA was now a trailblazer in legislative matters in the continent.
“I am pleased to note that Pan-African Parliament (PAP), Southern Africa Development Co-operation Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) and the ECOWAS Parliament are emulating EALA’s modes and its mandate”, the Speaker said.
She remarked that Karimjee Hall where the EALA is meeting was historic having being the location where the Parliament of Tanzania held its legislative business until 20 years ago (1995).
In her remarks, the Speaker of EALA, Rt. Hon Dr. Margaret Nantongo Zziwa stated that Parliament had a key role to play in strengthening integration.
The Speaker noted that both EALA and Parliament of Tanzania had continued to foster relations.
“I am confident that the Parliaments shall continue to play a fundamental role in strengthening the integration process through the requisite legislative, oversight and representative framework”, Rt. Hon Zziwa said
Rt. Hon Zziwa lauded Rt. Hon Makinda for her role in guiding Parliament to greater heights.
“Rt. Hon Speaker, your experience in Parliament goes back several years to 1975 when you were first nominated to the House. When the annals of history are written, it shall surely be recorded that you were at the helm as the first woman Speaker in the Parliament of Tanzania since the first Speakership of Adam Sapi Mkwawa in 1964” Speaker Zziwa said.
In one of the chapters, I am sure it shall also be clearly annotated that in the fullness of time, you were part of the leaders who contributed to a new constitutional dispensation” she added.
The two week Assembly expects to debate on the following Bills and reports:
- The EAC Integration (Education) Bill, 2014 (2nd & 3rd Reading)
- receive and consider reports from various Committees of the Assembly. The Reports include that of the Committee on Regional Affairs and Conflict Resolutions and the African Leadership Centre on East African Societies and Regional Security; Report of the Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources on Regional Parliamentarians’ Workshop on Forests and Climate Change and Report of the Committee on Communication, Trade and Investment on the EAC Aviation Sector. Other reports include that of the Committee on General Purpose on the capacity building workshop on the legislative process of bills, Report of the Committee on Legal Rules and Privileges and the report of the Committee on Accounts on EAC Audit Process.
- consider Motions and Questions brought before the House.
The Assembly shall also seize the moment to visit various stakeholders and to sensitise citizens. Institutions to be visited include the Tanzania Ports Authority on August 29th, 2014 and the Taasisi ya Sanaa na Utamaduni – TASUBA (Institute of Arts and Culture) in Bagamoyo on August 30th, 2014. The visits are expected to enhance the collaboration between EALA and the stakeholders in question.
Last week, EALA paid a courtesy call at the IPP Media where Members held discussions with the Executive Chairman and the Senior Management.
-ENDS-
For more information, contact
Bobi Odiko,
Senior Public Relations Officer,
East African Legislative Assembly.
Tel: +255-27-2508240
Fax: +255-27-2503103,
Cell: +255-787-870945 +254-733-718036
Email: BOdiko@eachq.org,
Web: https://www.eala.org
