The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) First Meeting of the Fifth Session of the Fourth Assembly has come to an end today, 4th November 2022, at the Parliament of Rwanda Chamber of Deputies in Kigali, Rwanda.
The meeting had a robust yet achievable agenda which has kept the Members engaged for the past two weeks.
The Assembly adopted a Motion to support the ongoing East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project (EACOP). The Motion was moved by Honourable James Kakooza.
Through this Motion, the august House sought to express its support for the implementation of the EACOP project which is intended to benefit the Partner States.
It also encouraged any aggrieved persons or communities by the EACOP project to always channel their complaints to their legitimate representatives in the National Assemblies or petition the EALA.
During its tour of duty in Kigali, the Assembly was graced by the presence of His Excellency President Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda at a Special Sitting held on Tuesday, 1st November 2022.
The President articulated the need for the EAC Partner States to work together to adopt a sustainable financing mechanism while decrying the current state of underfunding affecting the Community causing a delay in the implementation of projects and programs.
The sentiments on the alternative funding were echoed by Members of EALA during a debate on the Report of the Committee on Accounts on the EAC Audited Financial Statement for the year ended 30th June 2020. They urged the EAC Council of Ministers to actualize this alternative funding mechanism and to take full control of the development programs that will steer the Community to the full realization of its integration agenda.
While encouraging the Community to fast-track the implementation of goals set out to attain the four pillars of integration, His Excellency the President singled out the establishment of the East African Monetary Institute which is years behind schedule.
EAC Surveillance
In response to this call, the EALA moved swiftly to pass EAC Surveillance, Compliance and Enforcement Commission Bill, 2022.
The Bill establishes the EAC Surveillance, Compliance and Enforcement Commission pursuant to Article 21(b) of the Protocol on the Establishment of the East African Monetary Union. The Bill also provides for the functions, powers and governance structures of the EAC Surveillance, Compliance and Enforcement Commission.
It is worth noting that this Commission will, among other things, promote the attainment of the macroeconomic convergence criteria for all Partner States during the transition to the Monetary Union. The attainment of a single currency for the Community is not a mirage but a reality that the Assembly will ensure is realised.
The EAC Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2022, is yet another Bill which was passed by EALA during the Kigali plenary session. The Bill grants the Secretary General of the EAC the authority to appropriate a sum of United States Dollars two million, six hundred and twenty thousand, eight hundred out of the budget of the Community to meet the additional expenditure for the Organs of the Community for the financial year ending 30th June 2023.
In compliance with its statutory role of ensuring accountability in the expenditure of the Community’s resources, the EALA has continuously scrutinised the Audited Financial Reports of the Community. During this plenary, the Assembly scrutinized, debated and adopted the Report of the Accounts Committee on “The Audited EAC Financial Statements for the Financial Year ended 30th June 2020”
Members of EALA took time to enjoy the serene clean environment of Kigali City, which was in 2018 referred to as the cleanest city on the planet by the UN Environment Program Head, Eric Solheim, both in terms of lack of street rubbish and green initiatives. They also had the privilege of witnessing the Umuganda Initiative that is carried out by the local communities in an effort to clean the City of Kigali.
The Fourth Assembly will have a final plenary sitting at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania from 2nd December 2022 to 17th December 2022, after which it will pass over the baton to the Fifth Assembly which will have its first sitting on 18th December 2022.
