A regional Co-operative Societies Bill is soon in the offing and the move is expected to streamline the functioning of Co-operatives at the EAC. This follows the decision by the House to grant leave to Hon Mike Sebalu to introduce a Private Members Bill entitled The East African Community Co-operative Societies Bill, 2013. The leave was granted pursuant to the provisions of Article 59 (1) of the EAC Treaty and on Rule 64 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly.
Once introduced, the Bill shall go through the procedures and processes of enacting legislation.
In his submissions to the House, Hon Sebalu indicated the usefulness of the Bill stating that it would enable the Co-operatives in the region to take advantage of the integration process and to function in line with international Co-operative standards.
“The Bill is demand-driven and we have interacted with the East African Farmers Federation (EAFF) and other stakeholders, all of whom have agreed that there are gaps which can be filled by enactment of the legislation”, he stated.
The legislator said the Bill was necessary to spur empowerment and to facilitate in organizing people at their levels of production. He said the citizens in the European Union had a similar legal framework enabling EU citizens to take advantage of organization within co-operatives and to maximize synergies. I believe we can replicate the same in the EAC region”, Hon Sebalu noted.
The motion was supported by Hon Leonce Ndarubagiye who said that optimal food production was a necessity. Hon Dr. Odette Nyiramilimo said development of producers remained a constant challenge. “They need to be in Co-operatives to record progress”, she added.
Hon Christophe Bazivamo and Hon Maryam Ussi further added their voices in support of the motion.
Discussions on the Bill have continued among several stakeholders for some time now. In March 2012, a delegation of East African Farmers Federation paid a courtesy call on the (then) Speaker, Rt. Hon Abdirahin Abdi.
The EAFF and EALA, he said were keen to collaborate further to actualize a regional law on Co-operatives which it (EAFF) is mulling over.
‘Farmers are an integral part of our development not only for food security and secure livelihood reasons, but EAFF can be of much help in delivering the EAC integration dream particularly in areas of co-operation in technology transfer and the participation of ordinary people in the integration journey’, he said.
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For more information, contact:
Bobi Odiko,
Senior Public Relations Officer,
East African Legislative Assembly,
Cell: +255-787-870945, +254-733-718036.
Email: Bodiko@eachq.org
