Ladies & Gentlemen of the Press; Let me begin by thanking you for attending the press conference called to inform you of the 5th Meeting of the 3rd Session of the 3rd Assembly which takes place here from today until 27th March, 2015.
At the outset, I wish to thank H.E. President Pierre Nkurunziza for accepting to host EALA. I and the Chair of the Chapter, Hon Hafsa Mossi were privileged to pay a courtesy call and hold frank discussions with H.E the President on Friday last week here in Bujumbura.
I also thank the Speaker of the Parliament of Burundi, Rt. Hon Pie Ntavyohanyuma for extending to EALA the use of facilities over the two weeks. The relations between EALA and the Burundi National Assembly continue to be very warm and cordial.
During the two week period, the Assembly shall be extremely busy. H.E. Pierre Nkurunziza is expected to grace the Special Sitting and address the Assembly on Tuesday, March 17th, 2015.
Another key highlight of the Meeting is the State of EAC Address which is expected to be delivered by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Chairperson of the Summit of EAC Heads of State, H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, on March 19th, 2015.
The State of EAC Address is reserved for the Chair of the Summit and the key activity held annually, sets the pace by giving the Community (including all Institutions and Organs) impetus and direction. This is the 8th such occasion.
Other notable business for the two week period for consideration will comprise:
- debate on key legislations which include The EAC Customs Management (Amendment) Bill, 2015 and The EAC Competition (Amendment) Bill. We are also likely to consider The EAC Integration (Education) Bill, the EAC Cross-Border Legal Practice Bill, 2014, the Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers Bill, 2015 and The EAC Electronic Transactions Bill, 2014. Our target is to pass 3 Bills.
- debate of Reports of various Committees of EALA including that of Communication Trade and Investment on the EAC Single Customs Territory and on the Civil Authority Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA), the Report of the Accounts Committee on the EAC Audited Accounts for the Financial year ended 30th June 2013 and the Report of the Committee on Legal Rules and Privileges on Rules of Committees and the Code of Conduct for Members. We also expect to pass Resolutions and pose questions to the Council of Ministers.
- meet and receive a petition from the East African Trade Union Confederation and its Sister organization, the East African Employers Association.
- Receive a petition from the EAC Youth Ambassadors on behalf of youth in the region.
I want to state that EALA shall in future make use of the mode of petitions as way of addressing the issues of stakeholders. As you may be aware, a petition is basically a request for action.
The right to petition Parliament is a right of citizens since it is one of the ways an individual can directly place grievances before the Parliament. In doing so, my administration shall be vigilant and keen in “offering solutions to the people” and it shall enable us to reinforce collaboration with key stakeholders in the private sector, youth, women and the civil society.
EALA shall also hold a meeting with the Youth in Burundi to deliberate on topical matters of elections. As EALA, we are keen to see the country go through this electioneering period peacefully as part and parcel of enhancing democratization – which is one of the key tenets of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC.
The youth who constitute about 65% of the populace must exercise their democratic and just right. But they must do so in a peaceful way. This is the kind of conversation we shall be having with them.
The activities shall be preceded by a meeting of the Whole House to study the amended Rules of Procedure, passed by the House at its last Sitting in Arusha in January, 2015. The Rules shall guide the House for longevity and provide clarity and consistency with regards to undertaking our mandate.
Generally, EALA will continue to play a central role in the legislative framework and oversight to ensure the integration agenda remains smooth. Our desire as the Assembly has been to see the Non-Tariff Barriers removed to facilitate movement of goods and persons in the region.
NTBs have consistently interfered with the progress of integration. I am particularly elated that the Council of Ministers is now considering a regulatory framework to reverse the trend following the recent introduction of the Elimination of NTB Bill, 2015 at EALA.
This is going to be one of the priority Bills of the Assembly this year. It is hoped that once enacted, it shall be assented to speedily as Community Act to ease business and spur free movement.
The Assembly has and will continue to involve the citizens of the region using various means such as Public Hearings, Workshops and visitations. The involvement of East Africans in the process is fundamental given the fact that it is very much “a people centred process”.
It is important to add at this juncture that the principle of rotation as per the Provisions of Article 55 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community is also central to our work.
Thus on behalf of the Assembly and on my own behalf, I wish to welcome all East Africans to follow the proceedings of the Assembly closely during the period either through the media (including social media platform) or in attendance. I wish to state that the EALA Sessions are open to citizens from all walks of life and it presents an opportunity to interact with the legislators and similarly for us to touch base with citizens thus enhancing our representative role.
Finally and for avoidance of doubt, I shall re-state once again, that EALA is back on track. I wish to assure all publics in East Africa that we are now a stronger and more united Assembly. We have seriously embarked on the backlog of activities and we are expediting all the pending Bills.
We shall continue with the newly found spirit here in Bujumbura.
I thank you for your kind attention.
Asanteni sana!
