Honourable Speaker;
Invited Speakers here present;
Honourable Members of the East African Legislative
Assembly,
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
I thank you, Hon. Speaker for giving me this rare
opportunity to address this august Assembly at its 3rd
sitting since its inauguration this year. I also thank you for the kind words
you have spoken about me and my dear country, the United Republic of Tanzania.
Honourable Speaker;
Since I am
speaking to Members of East African Legislative Assembly for the first time
since you were elected, let me take this opportunity to extend to you all my
warm congratulations on your well deserved election. Your election is a testimony
of the immense confidence and trust reposed in you.
More so I
wish to congratulate you Madam Speaker, on your momentous election to the
position of Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly. Allow me to
acknowledge and commend you in a very special way for being the first female
Speaker in the history of EALA. It speaks volumes about the trust that Members
of this august Assembly have on your leadership skills.
Madam Speaker;
Your election is another expression of the growing
confidence and trust the people of East Africa have in women. It speaks volumes
about the existence of women who are able and effective leaders to steer the
affairs of institutions of governance and management of politics – a field
previously deemed a preserve for men.
You are joining an impressive list of powerful women Speakers of
Parliament in our region. There is Honourable
Rebecca Kadaga, Speaker of the Uganda Parliament and Honourable Anna Makinda,
Speaker of the Tanzanian Parliament.
Achievements
Honourable Speaker;
This Session is taking place at a time when our
region is on an
irreversible movement towards deeper integration and increased socio-economic
prosperity. I dare say so for three reasons. First, our integration is getting deeper and deeper with each
passing day and, its benefits are being realized by all partner states and our
people. Second, we are witnessing good
governance being institutionalized and consolidated in all partner states. And,
third, the unity of purpose and political
will to forge ahead is ever greater than at any other moment in the history of
the Community.
Honourable Speaker;
The successes we are witnessing today are a result
of nineteen years of hard work, dedication and commitment of successive leaders
and the people of East Africa. As you all know, the current East African
integration endeavours have come a long way. It began with the Treaty to revive
the East African Cooperation that was signed by the three Heads of State of
Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda on November 30, 1993. This provided the nucleus upon which the current East
African Community grew. Several
protocols were signed thereafter to bring the cooperation agenda to fruition.
These protocols led to the re-establishment of the East
African Community (EAC) through a Treaty which was signed by the EAC Heads of
State on 30th November, 1999.
The Treaty
which came
into force on 7th July, 2000 calls for a progressive and incremental
approach toward deeper integration. It identifies the Customs Union as the entry
point followed by the Common Market, the Monetary Union and finally the
Political Federation. The incremental
approach which is embodied in the Treaty is intended to harmonize and balance
the integration process as each stage builds the solid foundation for and feeds
into the subsequent stage. Each stage also consolidates the gains made from the
previous one.
Honourable
Speaker;
The
EAC Customs Union which started on 1st January, 2005 became fully fledged on January 1st, 2010
succeeded to live up to its expectations. As we speak today, we already have
two years of implementing the Common Market Protocol, which we signed in May
2010 and came into force in July 2010. I am informed that the implementation of
the Common Market Protocol is progressing well, despite the existence of some albeit
surmountable challenges.
Trade
and investment statistics speak volumes to underscore my assertions. Between
2005 – 2010 for example, intra East African trade doubled from US$ 2.2 billion to US$ 4.1 billion. Similarly, foreign direct investment to EAC
countries increased from US$ 910 million
in 2005 to US$ 1.72 billion in 2009.
These statistics demonstrate, in practical terms, the
benefits the East African integration agenda bring to the people of East Africa. It further proves that we are on the right
track towards a prosperous future.
Honourable
Speaker;
Member
of the EALA;
As
it is customary, there have encountered challenges in the process of implementing the Customs Union which have
been delaying the full realisation of its benefits. For example, there are
non-tariff barriers which the East African business community continues to
contend with. These include bureaucratic processes, administrative restrictions
and misuse of the rules of origin principle among others. I must admit these
are problems which should not be there, therefore, they should not be allowed
to continue. We must act decisively to
end them. These problems should not be
allowed to continue to undermine the Customs Union. We have talked about them for far too long, it
is time we must walk the talk.
Honourable
Speaker;
It
is encouraging to note that we are moving in the right direction in this regard.
The building of One Stop Border Posts
(OSBP) at our border posts will go a long way towards facilitating easy
clearance of goods across our borders. In all partner states, there are mechanisms
to monitor the elimination of the non tariff barriers. All that is required of
us, is to ensure that the mechanisms are functioning properly so that
non-tariff barriers are eliminated in a timely manner. I believe time has come
to give ourselves specific time frames to clear this hurdle.
Inadequate
infrastructure, particularly roads, railways and energy have been non-tariff
barriers of their own kind, but more significantly, they have been responsible
for the high cost of doing business in our region. This is impacting negatively
on the competitiveness of the EAC region in relation to other regional and global markets. We must double our
efforts to implement previous decisions on solving the infrastructure challenge
in East Africa.
Honourable
Speaker;
With
regards to the Common Market, the Protocol opens opportunities in the movement
of goods and services, labour, capital in the region and right of settlement, establishing
business and economic activities within the EAC partner states. However, for
these opportunities to be realised partner states need to review their domestic
laws to conform with the commitment and undertaking made in the Protocol.
Unfortunately, the process of review and amendment of national laws is behind
schedule in all the partner states. I am
hopeful that we will soon be able to finalise the process and allow our region
to expand and deepen integration.
Honourable
Speaker;
We are also moving steadily towards the Monetary Union as far as
negotiations are concerned. This is the defining and ultimate phase in the East
African economic integration agenda because what comes after it is political
integration - The Political Federation. It’s realization heralds the conclusion
of the economic integration facet of the East African Community. This phase
will provide the needed impetus for consolidating the successes we continue to
register in the Customs Union and Common Market operations. It will also shield
the Community from the volatilities associated with operating different fiscal
and monetary policies in the partner states. This will inevitably build on and
deepen our cooperation in fiscal and monetary policies, already championed by
our Fiscal Affairs and Monetary Affairs Committees.
Honourable Speaker;
The
Monetary Union is a very delicate phase in our integration agenda. We
should avoid making mistakes for that will
cost us dearly. It could make, this phase become the weak link that
could
undermine all the many years of good work done and achieved in the
process of building the East African Community. I hope our officials
appreciate this fact and are
giving themselves ample time as they craft and negotiate the various
aspects
and facets of the Monetary Union Protocol. I hope, also, that we will
learn
from the experience of the former East African Community on this
matter. Besides that, we will take time and learn
from the experience of other REC’s around the world, particularly the
European
Union.
Honourable Speaker;
It is common knowledge that economic successes
cannot be sustained for long without commensurate efforts on the good
governance front. It is for this reason that
the EAC partner states and the region at large is heavily investing in good
governance. We are reaping good results. Democratic
fundamentals are being entrenched in all partner states, the fight against
corruption is unrelenting and gaining momentum. There is observance of the
rule of law and respect for human rights are taking root. Peace, security and stability which are
critical factors for socio
economic development are being realized in all partner states. The EAC region
is steadily building a good track record on both good governance and integration.
I have no doubt in my mind that conditions are now ripe for accelerating the
East African socio-economic development to the next level.
Honourable Speaker;
It is worth noting that the process has always not
been easy. There were difficult moments,
there were challenges and challenges still exist. Some of the challenges are
local but some are external like the global economic and financial crisis and
the high food and fuel prices. Fortunately,
despite the challenges, the leaders of East Africa supported by their people have
remained steadfast, focussed and committed to advance the cooperation and integration
agenda. This spirit is paying the desired dividends. We need to stay the course
and redouble our efforts so that we can consolidate the gains and take the Community
to the highest possible levels of integration that we all desire.
Honourable Speaker;
I would
like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and congratulate Members of the
East African legislative Assembly for the invaluable contribution you have made
and continue to make to advance the integration agenda. EALA has discharged its
mandate and authority very well. You
have performed well your legislative role and oversight function over the
Community programmes and activities. Through EALA’s efforts several EAC
policies and decisions have been given legal effect. I urge the Third (3rd)
Assembly to sustain and accelerate this
spirit and momentum. My belief is that you have neither the option nor the time
to waver, more so when the call by the people of East Africa for us to deliver
on the priorities as articulated in our five years Development Strategy 2011/12
– 2015/16 is loud and clear.
The Priorities
Honourable Speaker;
Member of the Assembly;
I
am a believer of Mwalimu Nyerere’s dictum that “to plan is to choose”. Each
year the Community identifies priority areas for implementation in the next
financial year. In my view, there is need to refocus our approach by
identifying few priorities that will have tangible outcomes and multiplier
effects to East Africans. It is imperative that our choices are informed by
three principles: comparative advantage; synergy building; and, effectiveness.
In this regard, we should focus on cross-border infrastructure
development which is capable of truly facilitating trade and other interactions
among our people – railways, energy, ports and harbours, roads and ICT.
Secondly, we should make sure that we implement the
EAC Food Security and Climate Change Master Plan. We must give due focus to sustainable agricultural production
to ensure food security and environmental protection. This way, we shall be
able to increase average GDP growth from 5
percent to 8 percent and beyond,
on our path to making poverty history.
My call and challenge to this esteemed
Assembly is for you to legislate in a manner that facilitates delivery on our
priorities and interventions as identified in our Development Strategy. This
brings me to your role in this endeavour. I know you know your roles better
than I do. But let me share some thoughts.
The Role of EALA
Honourable Speaker;
The Treaty gives this Assembly legislative and oversight
functions. It also, inter alia, enjoins the Assembly to "liaise with the National Assemblies of the Partner
states on matters relating to the Community.” By all standards this is a significant
task. As our
integration is deepened and widened in its scope, the issues which EALA is
called to address are also becoming complex. Indeed, the EALA needs
to be more proactive in fulfilling its legislative functions.
Ii is a
matter of essence that the EALA has to align itself with other major actors
within the Community. Such actors
include first and foremost the people it serves. There are other national actors such as
legislative authorities, national governments, private sector, civil society
and development partners. This alignment
was envisaged by the Treaty when it prescribed the legislative mandate of this
House in Chapter 9, article 59. The
alignment is also more important as it creates clear checks and balances
between the Assembly, the Council, the partner states and other legislative
authorities within partner states.
I am emphasising this because we have distinctions
to make. There are local issues which need to be addressed at the national
levels. Conversely, there are national challenges whose remedies require
cascading the approaches to give more prominence to local solutions, building
on the interface between the national parliamentarians and
their local constituents. Then there are local interests which require regional
approaches to address, and in some cases a combined effort of both the national
and the regional legislatures.
Honourable Speaker;
We also need to determine how the EALA, through
legislation, could harness, mobilise and leverage the participation of the
people of East Africa in the regional integration process. Undeniably, the
principal responsibility for sensitising the East African public about
integration must largely fall on the shoulders of the political leadership at
national levels. However, EAC legislators and leaders of other Organs of the
EAC are critical stakeholders and have a fundamental role to play. The regional dimension of mobilisation
through synergy building and targeted awareness creation falls squarely on the
EAC Organs.
It is important that the private sector, civil
society, and other stakeholders are meaningfully consulted during the
Assembly's legislative process. But they also need to be mobilized to support
it. Through their involvement we should be able to design policies that open
avenues for the private sector and civil society including women and youths, to
engage in constructive and transformative integration. Harnessing the potential
of these actors in taking East African integration to greater heights is a
matter of extreme urgency. It is imperative that all these actors are enabled
to contribute effectively to our economic and social transformation.
Honourable Speaker;
This calls for increased mobilisation and sensitisation
activities so as to increase the level of awareness on the EAC integration. In doing this, there is need to promote a
culture of East-Africanness, driven
by our Community’s fundamental principles, as provided for under Chapter 6 of
the Treaty.
This sensitisation and information sharing should
also be promoted amongst regional legislators themselves and between regional
and national legislators and the executive. I am one of those people who
passionately believe that organisations are like human beings and that there is
need to subject them to continuous renewal so that they remain agile and
healthy. In this regard, I wish to urge you,
Honourable Speaker, and the entire House to promote information exchange and
sensitization.
I would wish to see stronger synergies built in
your relations with the Council of Ministers, partner states governments and national
legislatures. This way the efforts become non-contradictory, mutually
reinforcing and sustainable. It will also help avert the sad situation where
Bills passed by this House could get difficulties being assented to by Heads of
State or being domesticated by partner states.
Honourable Speaker;
Honourable Member of the Assembly;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
To conclude, I wish to
reiterate that our integration must be transformative. We must hold on to our
vision of a prosperous, competitive, secure, stable and politically united East
Africa. However, we must also fold our sleeves and do the hard work required to
transform this vision into reality. The United Republic of Tanzania is both
committed and determined to work hard to ensure that the vision is realised in
a timely manner.
On behalf of my
colleagues, Heads of State of the partner states, I would like to underscore
the confidence we have in you and in your capacity to positively advance the East African integration agenda,
now and in the future. On our part, we stand ready, as we have always been, to
support your efforts as we deepen and widen our integration for the prosperous
future of our people.
I wish you great
success in your endeavours.
I thank you for your kind attention.
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