PRESIDENT KAGAME OPENS EALA SITTING IN KIGALI

President Paul Kagame (r) shakes hands with the EALA Speaker, the Rt. Hon. Abdirahin Abdi.

President Paul Kagame signs the visitors book at the Parliament of Rwanda.  Looking on is the EALA Speaker Rt. Hon Abdirahin Abdi.

President Paul Kagame addresses the Sitting at Parliament of Rwanda.

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...calls for close co-operation between EAC organs and national institutions

EAST AFRICAN LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, KIGALI

President Paul Kagame yesterday opened the first meeting of the fifth session of the second East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) in Parliament of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda.

In his speech, President Kagame hailed the strides made by EALA over the last ten years and the important contribution of the Assembly in the integration process. He however called for the strengthening of the collaboration and co-operation between the institutions of the EAC and those of the Partner States.

"In the case of EALA, I want to urge the regional Assembly and the National Assemblies to ensure linkages and co-operation. For instance, it may be useful to hold special joint sessions to debate Community agenda.  This way, the Community will be brought closer to the people for whom it is intended", President Kagame said.

President Kagame reiterated the need for a single customs authority as a means towards eliminating the Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) which he lamented, continued to hamper the environment and costs of doing business as well as an impediment to the Customs Union and Common Market Protocols.

"This Assembly should follow-up on the expeditious set up of such an authority," President Kagame said.

The President further called for the speedy implementation of Council decisions at the EAC and the implementation of the protocols and commitments agreed on by Partner States if the benefits of regional integration were to be felt.

"It is imperative, therefore, that this Assembly and the Council of Ministers collaborate more on mechanisms to initiate laws to enforce the expeditious implementation of the Customs Union and the Common Market Protocol so that East
African citizens can reap benefits accruing from them" President Kagame said.

On the famine situation in the region, the President called for the instituting of mechanisms of environmental management so as to mitigate the effects of climate change.  He reiterated the need to develop agricultural policies and practices and land management systems that ensure food security is realized.

The President further called for all inclusiveness and citizen participation to foster their active participation in the regional integration process. "EAC issues should not be confined to legislative chambers but must extend to the public through
the media, public discussions and other fora of consultation", President Kagame said, adding that, in so doing, ordinary East Africans would have a voice and EAC organs their rightful relevance.

In his welcoming remarks, the Speaker of EALA, Hon. Abdirahin Abdi, hailed President Kagame and the citizens of the Republic of Rwanda for exuding the East African spirit and their steadfast contribution to the realization of the objectives of the Community.

"Your sterling effort to steer the republic of Rwanda  to join the EAC fraternity and your stewardship together with your other colleagues of the Summit was indeed brilliant and historical, giving EAC a wider market, geographical coverage and a stronger negotiating ability", Hon Abdi said.

He urged the Summit of the Heads of State to continue offering wisdom and support towards realising the pillars of the integrative process, particularly the negotiations for the Monetary Union and the Political Federation, which were yet to
be concluded, Rt. Hon Abdi added.

The EALA Speaker noted that the role of women in the integration process was vital and said Rwanda had remained a leading light maintaining a positive outlook towards women empowerment reflected in all structures of government and other institutions.

Rt. Hon Abdi lauded Rwanda for opening its doors to the Assembly. "You may recall that the 2nd Assembly was inaugurated on 5 June 2007 and will conclude its five year tenure on 4 June 2012. This is probably the last Session in Kigali as an Assembly", Rt Hon Abdi said, while expressing gratitude to President Kagame for his
government's support to EALA over the years.

Over the next two weeks, a number of Bills are expected to be debated by EALA.  They include the introduction of four members private Bills namely:

 *   The East African Parliamentary Institute Bill (EAPI) 2011
 *   The East African Community Human and Peoples' Right Bill 2011
 *   The East African Community Polythene Materials Control Bill 2011
 *   The East African Legislative Assembly Bill 2011

EALA shall during the period also deliberate on the following:

 *   The inter-university council of East Africa (Amendment) Bill - 2&3 reading
 *   EAC Transboundary Ecosystem Management Bill 2010 - 2nd & 3rd Reading

Various motions, reports as well as resolutions deepening and widening the integration agenda are also to be moved and adopted at the two week plenary.

EALA Member Hon. Mike Sebalu moved a vote of thanks applauding President Kagame and the Parliament of Rwanda for the continuous support to EALA.