Rt. Hon (Dr) Margaret Nantongo Zziwa

The uniqueness of the State of EAC Address is certain in that it catalyses and synthesizes the overall EAC direction into feasible proposals and by which means, the proposals can be achieved, giving effect to the budget to be presented by the Council of Ministers in June.

The quality of life for the millions of citizens in the region is on a steady path to improvement.  The region has experienced more peace and security with each passing day and its benefits are being realized in all Partner States. This is an exciting time for the region as our integration is getting deeper and deeper. Secondly, we are witnessing good governance being institutionalized and consolidated in all Partner States. At this juncture, we congratulate the Republic of Kenya upon holding peaceful free and fair elections conducted last month.  We consider this to be yet another sign of maturity to democratic ideals.

The EAC region is a sizeable market with a combined population of over 133 million people and a combined GDP of over US$ 79 Billion. This market has great potential for steady and sustainable economic growth capable of propelling our region into middle income status in the next decade.

Specifically, the Common Market Protocol which was signed three years ago spells out a number of benefits for the region including the free movement of persons, labour, goods and services among others.  We are yet to see real dynamism on the part of the Partner States to facilitate the implementation of this Protocol but we remain hopeful that they will act. Steps like issuance of national identity cards will go a long way in facilitating the free movement of the people especially the common person. The EAC integration further envisages the Monetary Union which is even a more delicate phase that inter alia ushers in the common currency and the harmonization of the macro-economic policies of the Partner States.  We need to roll up our sleeves to prepare both the human, institutional and business environments since the date set up for the entry of the Monetary Union – November 30, 2013 is fast approaching.

EALA applauds the EAC Summit of Heads of State for the physical and tangible achievements realized which are enjoyed by East Africans.  Notably, the East African Community Headquarters is an important landmark and it is a statement to the permanency of the people-centred process.

The completion of the Arusha-Namanga-Athi-River road among others on the northern-central and southern corridor is also a manifestation of your commitment to improving the lives of East Africans.   The move to create a ‘One Border Stop Post’ will go a long way to prove to East Africans that we are ‘walking the talk’. 

However, there are areas where we as the key players need to rise beyond the routine and candidly come out to work on in order to enhance the integration of our people.

Areas that need quick intervention

It is now over ten years since we re-established the Community.  The Community is growing. Some of the Organs of the Community have grown for example, EALA which was founded with 27 Members, now has 52 Members including the 5 Ex-Officio Members; while the EACJ is soon expected to have an expanded mandate with a wider jurisdiction.   But there is growing frustration about the Treaty.  The Treaty has not been amended to take into consideration the new realities.  The duty of amending the Treaty is vested in the Summit but the Sectoral Council on Legal and Judicial Affairs has not been proactive enough considering the fact that the proposals for amendment were made to the Council over 4 years ago. We feel it is important for the Offices of the Attorneys General in the Partner States to spare some time to prioritise EAC matters.  

The relations/co-ordination/collaboration among Organs of the EAC is considered to be an important impetus to the implementation of the EAC decisions. EALA thus appreciates the opportunity of the address by the Heads of State every time a Session starts in the Partner States but this is not enough; we look forward to the revival of the Kigali Retreat where the Chair of the Summit invited all the Organs of the Community to interface on the progress of the EAC.  This was the brainchild of President Paul Kagame when he was then, the Chair of the Summit of the EAC Heads of State.  We await its revival since its benefits were clearly evident.
 
Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs)

Non-Tariff Barriers have continued to manifest themselves and are significantly responsible for the high cost of doing business in our region. Inadequate infrastructure bottlenecks, particularly roads, railways and energy have also hindered progress in a number of ways. NTBs continue to pose a big threat to the free flow of business in the region and this limits the people of East Africa from enjoying the benefits of integration. The time has come for the EAC region to collectively seek permanent solutions to the removal of NTBs.

Other insurmountable challenges include lack of awareness amongst the citizens of the EAC on the benefits of EAC integration as well as speeding-up decision making by the stakeholders.  Vigourous sensitisation programs must be up-scaled, involving all key stakeholders: Council of Ministers, EAC institutions, media, the Private Sector among others so that the ‘people-centredness’ is witnessed. EALA on her part is committed to increase public hearings, conferences and interface with Parliaments, Universities and institutions of higher learning and the business communities among others to popularize the benefits of integration.  This will give the region hope that we collectively seek to solve the challenges the citizens of East Africa face and offer assurances that they enjoy the benefits of integration.

Again, EALA is committed to strengthening integration by proposing and enacting relevant legislation in close collaboration with the Council of Ministers. The Assembly shall continue to undertake oversight and representative functions with vigour and zeal including in the participation of on-spot assessments of EAC programmes and projects, study tours and stakeholder public hearings.  This Assembly shall in no doubt need an expanded mandate as the region moves to consolidate the Common Market, fast-track the Monetary Union and set the basis for the Political Federation. 

It is necessary that all stakeholders take the integration dispensation a notch higher by ensuring implementation of all decisions of the Summit and Council of Ministers and enforcement of legislation. We call upon the Council of Ministers to be proactive in bringing the required Bills to realize the integration.  Today, we await more progressive Bills to implement the Common Market, for instance, EALA would very much welcome a Trade Bill where the details on the Certificate of Origin are clearly stated and applied across board by all Partner States.

The culture of preferring Protocols instead of Bills/Acts by Partner States should be discouraged since the operationalisation of Protocols in itself, presents challenges.  The Chair of the Council of Ministers should pace up by bringing such Bills that may not ordinarily qualify as Private Members Bills due to the fact they may have financial implications on the Community. Once again, Your Excellency, we feel the Council needs to share with us its Legislative Calendar so that the Assembly is not only aware but plans for its parliamentary work in a more effective and efficient manner.

It is important that the respective Partner States implement provisions of the EAC Treaty, and the legislations enacted by EALA. Collectively, we need to strive to deliver tangible solutions to the citizens of the region. We must deliver on our promises to them.

Allow me to congratulate the Heads of State Summit for the proactive Summit held in Nairobi in November 2012. The Retreat identified strategic infrastructure sectors which must be embarked on for the growth of trade and expansion of business ventures in East Africa.  The infrastructure bottlenecks need vigourous attention.  We, East Africans await the implementation of the EAC Railway Master Plan, which we envisage shall see the re-construction and expansion of the East African Railway. EALA has in the 2nd Assembly moved a Resolution in this regard.   The Ports and Harbours particularly the Mombasa, Dar es Salaam and Lamu need serious attention since they are the gateway to East Africa.  EALA is ready to work with the Summit to ensure that the ports improve efficiency, capacity and inclusiveness of East Africa.

By Rt. Hon (Dr) Margaret Nantongo Zziwa,
Speaker of EALA.