EALA TO SIT IN ARUSHA FROM NEXT WEEK

 Independence Former First Ladies expected to grace Special Sitting on May 31, 2016.

East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, Tanzania: May 21, 2016: The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) holds its sitting in Arusha, Tanzania, next week. The Sixth Meeting of the Fourth Session of the Third Assembly takes place from Monday, May 23, 2016 to Friday, June 3, 2016.

The Assembly is to be presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon Daniel F. Kidega. Top on the agenda during the two week period is the EAC Budget Speech which is expected to be delivered on Thursday, May 26th, 2016, by the Chair of the Council of Ministers, Hon Dr. Augustine Mahiga.  The Assembly is then expected to debate and approve the Budget as part of its mandate.

The Budget Speech is a key activity of the EAC calendar. Last year, EALA debated and approved EAC Budget estimates for the Financial Year 2015/2016 totaling to USD 110, 660,098.

The 2015/2016 Budget prioritized on the operationalization of the Single Customs Territory, enhanced implementation of the EAC Common Market Protocol with particular focus on implementation of the new generation EAC internationalised e-Passports and development of the EAC trading, payments and settlements systems.

Also top on the agenda during the two week period is a Special Sitting to be addressed by the Partner States’ Independence former First Ladies, Their Excellences, Mama Ngina Kenyatta (Kenya), Mama Miria Obote (Uganda) and Mama Maria Nyerere (United Republic of Tanzania).

The Special Sitting on May 31^st, 2016, presents a unique opportunity for the Members to interact and to share experiences with the distinguished former first ladies’ given that EAC as is constituted today, borrows a number of best practices from the first bloc.

Debate on the recent State of EAC Address, is also on the menu.  On March 8^th, 2016, The Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Rt Hon Kassim Majaliwa delivered the State of EAC Address to EALA at the 5^th Meeting of the 4^th Session in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

The Prime Minister informed the House that progress had been realised following the entry of the Single Customs Territory. He remarked that finalization of key operational instruments, revision of business manuals, development of M&E tool framework, deployment of staff and revision of an enforcement framework had opened the path for the operationalisation of the SCT in the Partner States.

Two key Bills on the cards at the EALA meeting are the EAC Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Bill, 2015 and the EAC Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2016.

The object of PWD Bill, 2015 is to provide a comprehensive legal framework for the protection of the rights of persons with disability in the Community. The Bill is premised under the provisions of Article 120 (c) of the EAC Treaty under which, Partner States closely co-operate amongst themselves in the field of social welfare with respect to the development and adoption of a common approach towards disadvantaged and marginalized groups.  Such groups include children, the youth, the elderly and persons with disability through rehabilitation and provision of among others, foster homes, healthcare, education and training.

The House is also expected to receive and to debate on a number of Committee reports.  On the other side, its Committees shall hold consultative meetings with the EAC Council of Ministers.   The Communications, Trade and Investments Committee has a date with the EAC Council of Ministers to review the EAC Sectional Properties Bill, 2016 and the EA Customs Management (Amendment Act) 2016. 

On its part, the General Purpose Committee will consult with the Council on the Supplementary Budget Bill and the PWD Bill respectively, prior to tabling of both Bills in the House.