Clementine Mukeka, the National Coordinator and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda, has successfully convened and concluded the Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIPs) National Coordinators’ Virtual Meeting.
The significant meeting demonstrated the commitment of the NCIPs member states to regional infrastructural development and cooperation.
The meeting, brought together key representatives from the NCIPs member states, including Dr Alice Yalla, Secretary for East African Community Integration representing Mr. Abdi Dubat, the National Coordinator of NCIPs and Principal Secretary of State Department for East African Community of the Republic of Kenya; Hon. Biel Jock Thuch, National Coordinator for Northern Corridor of the Republic of South Sudan; and Amb. Richard Kabonero, National Coordinator of the Republic of Uganda.
In his remarks, Amb. Richard Kabonero, National Coordinator for Uganda, extended gratitude to Rwanda for hosting the meeting amidst their busy election period.
He emphasized the revived commitment to NCIPs and infrastructure projects.
Amb. Kabonero provided a comprehensive update on the progress of clusters coordinated by Uganda, highlighting significant achievements in ICT and Infrastructure Development, Standard Gauge Railways (SGR), Project Financing and Private Sector Participation, and Oil Refinery Development.
He said Uganda, as the Chair and Coordinator of these clusters, has made notable progress.
“The ICT and Infrastructure Development Cluster has operationalized the One Network Area (ONA) for voice, data, and SMS, significantly increasing traffic among Member States.
There has also been progress in cross-border broadband interconnectivity and the commitment to the development of regional satellite communication,” he said.
He added that the SGR Cluster has seen the operationalization of the Mombasa-Nairobi-Naivasha section, with further construction plans in place especially commencing construction of the Malaba- Kampala Section by December 2024 as Signing of the Contract with Yapi Merkezi expected at the end of July 2024.
Efforts in Project Financing and Private Sector Participation, as well as Oil Refinery Development, are ongoing, with regional meetings scheduled to ensure continuous progress.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Clementine Mukeka emphasized the importance of assessing the progress of various NCIPs clusters, implementation statuses, and joint frameworks. She reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to hosting the 15th Summit of NCIPs and called for active engagement and collaboration among member states.
The agenda for the meeting was adopted without amendments, ensuring a focused and productive session.
Dr Alice Yalla on behalf of the National Coordinator of Kenya highlighted Kenya’s achievements over the past decade and expressed optimism about the future of NCIPs. She emphasized the importance of continued multilateral cooperation to address development challenges and open new markets.
Biel Jock Thuch expressed his eagerness to contribute to the NCIPs initiatives and looked forward to strengthening collaboration with other member states.
He acknowledged the economic challenges faced by South Sudan but reaffirmed their commitment to addressing these issues.
Discussions during the meeting also covered the implementation of joint Memoranda of Understanding (MoU’s) and frameworks in line with NCIPs, including the single tourist visa, ONA MoU, and the Defense and Security Act. Member states reaffirmed their commitment to these agreements and discussed innovative approaches to enhance collaboration.
In her closing remarks, Mukeka expressed appreciation for the active participation and productive engagements.
She highlighted the importance of frequent communication among focal points and outlined a clear roadmap for the NCIPs.
Uganda reaffirmed its dedication to the NCIPs and remains committed to working collaboratively with partner states to achieve regional development goals.
About Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIP):
The Northern Corridor Integrated Projects (NCIP) initiative is a collaborative regional effort by Northern Corridor countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan, to enhance infrastructure and boost economic development.
The initiative focuses on improving transportation, energy, and ICT infrastructure to facilitate trade and movement within the region. Key projects under the NCIP include the development of railways, roads, oil pipelines, and the modernization of ports. By streamlining logistics and connectivity, the NCIP aims to promote regional integration, increase trade efficiency, and support sustainable development in East Africa.