The
Regional Assembly is urging Partner States to “up their game” in
sensitization activities particularly when it comes to the Common Market
Protocol in order to raise awareness and
showcase benefits to the citizens of the region.
At
the same time, the EALA wants Partner States to adopt a phased
implementation of the EAC Common Market by prioritizing aspects that
carry quick wins or deliver immediate
multiplier effects. This move shall endear citizens to take advantage
of the benefits that shall accrue from the Common Market protocol.
The
Assembly today debated and adopted the Report of an Oversight activity
on the Security related challenges of implementing the Common Market
Protocol along the Central
Corridor.
The
Report presented to the House by the Chair of the Regional Affairs and
Conflict Resolution Committee, Hon Abdullah Mwinyi follows the oversight
activity undertaken by
the Committee in the United Republic of Tanzania in November 2015.
The
activity aimed at appreciating first-hand, the existing security
related operational challenges of implementing the Common Market
Protocol along the Central
Corridor; Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) constraints including numerous
police road blocks and check points; and the ongoing reforms and
projects on course to ease cargo transportation in landlocked Partner
States of Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda.
The
objective of the Committee was to comprehend and appreciate the
implementation of the Common Market Protocol along the Central
Corridor and to ascertain the challenges faced in the implementation.
The
Committee held a field trip visiting Dar es Salaam, all through to
Vigwaza weighbridge and roadblocks. It further interacted with various
stakeholders including
officials of the Ministry of EAC, Ministry of Labour and Employment and
the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS). Others included the Business
Community, Members of the Tanzania Police Force and the Tanzania Roads
Agency (TANROADS) Officials.
The
Committee observed that United Republic of Tanzania had developed a
national Common Market Protocol implementation strategy and a national
Committee to realize
the same. It further strengthened the National Monitoring Committee
for Elimination of Non-Tariff barriers and had commenced on the issuance
of the machine readable identifications.
The
Committee was nonetheless informed that implementation of the Common
Market Protocol continued to lag behind owing to a number of factors
including; Inadequate
awareness among Private Sector, implementing agencies and the general
public on the provisions and implementation of EAC CMP as well as delays
by the sectoral Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) to amend
national laws relevant to the said Protocol.
In addition, the Committee took cognisance of the funding requirements
for smooth implementation of the EAC Protocol.
During
debate, Members noted that Partner States should emulate the United
Republic of Tanzania to modernize the weighbridge technology and scales
to ensure
enhanced speed and accuracy in weighing process targeting reduction of
bribery incidences, fines for overloading and time taken in the weighing
process.
At
the same time, United Republic of Tanzania should work with other
Partner States to re-look on the validity through research the issue of
yellow fever cards
within the EAC region as an impediment to free movement of persons
Hon
Bernard Mulengani remarked that it was necessary to also look at
security related matters such as Illegal roadblocks, arrests and the
ever worrying trend
of terrorism gaining entry through the free movement of persons. He
further requested the Council of Ministers to clarify on the term
foreigner in advent of the Common Market Protocol.
Hon
Valerie Nyirahabineza decried the constant delays by Partner States to
amend the national laws to conform to the Common Market Protocol. “Article
47
requires Partner States to align their legislation to CMP. This is
vital, she said. What happens if the laws in the Partner States are not
aligned with that of the EAC? Are we going to continue to benefit from
the Protocol? She asked.
“In
the case of the Customs Union, we have a legal framework in the name of
the Customs Union Management Act. It is a high time we have a
coordinating structure
to handle this aspect,” she added.
Hon
Shyrose Bhanji said Tanzania had done well with regards to removal of
NTBs. One of the major challenges however is that of lack of
sensitization to the public,
she said.
“This is not only a recurring problem but looks more like a chronic problem,” she said. We need more sensitization to the publics to create awareness
here in the country. Even EALA Members need to be more involved in-country This shall enable us also to brief Tanzanians and other East Africans,” she said.
Hon
Makongoro Nyerere however said the various weighbridges on the central
corridor continued to delay the speed of movement of goods. “They need to be reduced
so that we also spur free movement of people from one point to another”, he added.
“Hon Mumbi Ngaru said the Government of Kenya had continued to prioritise sensitization of its citizens on the EAC. “The Council needs to formulate a policy
around sensitization. This is very key., she said.
Others
who supported the report were Hon Shyrose Bhanji, Hon Makongoro
Nyerere, Hon Martin Ngoga and Hon Ussi Maryam. Hon Odette Nyiamilimo,
Hon Isabelle Ndahayo,
Hon Christophe Bazivamo and Hon Taslima Twaha also gave a nod to the
report.
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