STATEMENT BY AMB. JUMA MWAPACHU, SECRETARY GENERAL, EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY DURING THE OPENING OF THE 3RD MEETING OF THE SECTORAL COUNCIL OF MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

02/04/2007
GRANTS ARCHIVES AGAJA KUYO BARUPE WECHE DONGRUOK MBAKA NONRO JEXJALUO NGECHE LUO GI GWENG' THUM TEDO LUO KITGI GI TIMBEGI SIGENDNI LUO THUOND WECHE ;	Kisumu,3/2/2007 STATEMENT BY AMB. JUMA MWAPACHU, SECRETARY GENERAL, EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY DURING THE OPENING OF THE 3RD MEETING OF THE SECTORAL COUNCIL OF MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS Honourable Chairperson of the Sectoral Council Honourable Ministers Permanent Secretaries Distinguished Delegates and Observers, Ladies and Gentlemen. On behalf of the East African Community, I am very pleased to welcome you on this important occasion of the 3rd Meeting of the Sectoral Council. This being the first meeting of this year, I take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year. May I also take this opportunity to recognize the presence of two new Permanent Secretaries for East African Community Affairs, the Permanent Secretary for Kenya , Ambassador Dr. Hukka Wario and the Permanent Secretary for Tanzania , Mr Wilfred Nyachia. The Permanent Secretaries take their new appointment at a crucial time in the development of the Community when their resourceful contribution will be much appreciated and I wish them great success. Honourable Ministers Since the last meeting of the Sectoral Council in November 2006, the regional organization has kept up a steady activity in a number of significant fronts as directed by the Council, namely:- The ongoing National Consultative Process on Fast Tracking East African Federation The organizational restructuring exercise and implementation of new terms and conditions of service for staff of the Community; and Preparations for the Accession to the Treaty by Rwanda and Burundi following their Admission into the Community These developments as well as other activities in the implementation of the regional programme are detailed in the reports and recommendations of the Co-ordination committee that are before your meeting today for consideration. I would like, in this regard, to thank Honourable Ministers for the wise guidance and solid support that you continue to extend to the Secretariat, and indeed to all the Organs and Institutions of the Community to discharge their mandates effectively. The capacity of the regional organization to manage its growing mandate received a great boost with the just concluded organizational restructuring exercise, implementation of new terms and conditions of service of staff and the recruitment of additional staff. Honourable Ministers, before you are recommendations of the Co-ordination Committee of persons to be employed by the EAC. The recruitment process overall has been fair and transparent. Allow me, Honourable Ministers to thank you for your support in approving the new terms and conditions of service of EAC staff. We assure you of our dedicated service. Indeed, as we launch into the implementation of the 3rd EAC Development Strategy (2006-2010), the staff is committed to work, as they presently say in Tanzania , with nguvu mpya, ari mpya, kasi mpya. Honourable Ministers In turning to the period ahead, we recognize several challenges that the regional organization faces. Among these are the ongoing court cases in the East African Court of Justice relating to the East African Legislative Assembly. As a result of the court cases, the activities of the East African Legislative Assembly have been paralysed at a time when the services of the Assembly are needed most. It is my hope, indeed the hope of everyone who has the interest of the Community at heart that we shall come to a positive solution so that this key pillar of the Community begins to operate without further delay. Indeed, as you may note, due to these cases and the ongoing process of review and amendment of the Treaty, the Counsel to the Community is now not able to help the Secretary General to steer the various meetings, including this one. Among the proposals for immediate attention but which also has long term impact, is a proposal to create a position of Assistant Secretary to the Council of Ministers. This person will be responsible to the Secretary General in servicing the Meetings of the Community. Regrettably, I have not been able to obtain the consensus of the Co-ordination Committee on filling this position quickly. It will have to await the consideration of the Finance and Administration Committee. As regards the ongoing National Consultative Process on the Political Federation, which is a major pre-occupation of the Community at the moment, it is noteworthy that the process is relatively on course. However, there is need, as the Summit directed last November, to intensify the effort to ensure the full expression and participation of the East Africa citizenry in the process. In this regard, the EAC Department of Political Federation has presented a proposal for additional resources for the sensitization and mobilization campaign which we request the Sectoral Council to consider favourably. Honourable Ministers Following the admission last November of the Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Burundi to join the Community, I am pleased to report that the preparations for the Accession of the two countries to the EAC Treaty have begun and I will be visiting Rwanda between 12 and 14 February to launch the relevant consultations. I had also planned a similar visit to Burundi on 15-16 February but the visit has had to be postponed because the Burundi top leadership will be attending the Franco-African Summit in France at the time. The visit to Burundi has now been rescheduled for March 2007. Apart from the Accession Treaty, there are other requirements which have significant resource and budgetary implications which we shall be compiling in due course for the consideration of the Council. In this regard, I would like to point out that one of the documents before you at this meeting relates to a special budgetary requirement to extend EALA facilities in anticipation of new elected Members of the Assembly from Rwanda and Burundi . Honourable Ministers One of the major priorities in the aftermath of the launching of the 3rd EAC Development Strategy (2006-2010) is the strengthening of the relations with the EAC's development partners. The Development Strategy focuses on the delivery of tangible benefits, particularly in the infrastructure and energy sectors as well as trade and investments promotion. To this end, I am pleased to report very positive and close engagement with key development partners aimed at enhancing programme delivery. In continuation of this engagement, the Secretary General, accompanied by the Deputy Secretary General (Projects and Programmes) and a technical team will visit the ADB in Tunis from 4-8 February to sign Financing Agreement for the Arusha-Namanga-Athi River Road construction and chart out a new MOU as well as agree on funding of various EAC projects. Also, EAC Ministers will be making a working visit to India from 18-24 February during which an MOU will be signed focusing on technical co-operation, trade and investments promotion between India and the EAC. Honourable Ministers With these remarks, I thank you for your attention and wish you fruitful deliberations. Thank You! ENDS Leooderaomolo@yahoo.com The writer is LUOCOME REPORTER based in Kisumu. We urge all LUOCOME members with pressing issues pertaining to media and press releases to kindly contact him from any where in world. He will assist you to get true picture of your Village Developement. LUOCOME-MEDIA ===================================================== Joluo.com Ka in gi mari moro ma di wandik ka to orni Akelo nyar Kager, jaluo@jaluo.com Daher winjo dwondi in bende, iwinjo?	IDWARO TICH? INJILI GOSPEL GALAMORO : Riwruok mar JOLUO e Piny Ngima, orwaku uduto mondo ubed e kanyakla mar burani. Ornwa nyingi gi nondi kaka obedo. Riwruok e teko joka Nyanam. WENDO MIWA PARO OD PAKRUOK

Kisumu,3/2/2007

STATEMENT BY AMB. JUMA MWAPACHU, SECRETARY GENERAL, EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY DURING THE OPENING OF THE 3RD MEETING OF THE SECTORAL COUNCIL OF MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Honourable Chairperson of the Sectoral Council

Honourable Ministers

Permanent Secretaries

Distinguished Delegates and Observers,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

On behalf of the East African Community, I am very pleased to welcome you on this important occasion of the 3rd Meeting of the Sectoral Council. This being the first meeting of this year, I take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

May I also take this opportunity to recognize the presence of two new Permanent Secretaries for East African Community Affairs, the Permanent Secretary for Kenya , Ambassador Dr. Hukka Wario and the Permanent Secretary for Tanzania , Mr Wilfred Nyachia. The Permanent Secretaries take their new appointment at a crucial time in the development of the Community when their resourceful contribution will be much appreciated and I wish them great success.

Honourable Ministers

Since the last meeting of the Sectoral Council in November 2006, the regional organization has kept up a steady activity in a number of significant fronts as directed by the Council, namely:-

The ongoing National Consultative Process on Fast Tracking East African Federation

The organizational restructuring exercise and implementation of new terms and conditions of service for staff of the Community; and

Preparations for the Accession to the Treaty by Rwanda and Burundi following their Admission into the Community

These developments as well as other activities in the implementation of the regional programme are detailed in the reports and recommendations of the Co-ordination committee that are before your meeting today for consideration.

I would like, in this regard, to thank Honourable Ministers for the wise guidance and solid support that you continue to extend to the Secretariat, and indeed to all the Organs and Institutions of the Community to discharge their mandates effectively.

The capacity of the regional organization to manage its growing mandate received a great boost with the just concluded organizational restructuring exercise, implementation of new terms and conditions of service of staff and the recruitment of additional staff. Honourable Ministers, before you are recommendations of the Co-ordination Committee of persons to be employed by the EAC. The recruitment process overall has been fair and transparent. Allow me, Honourable Ministers to thank you for your support in approving the new terms and conditions of service of EAC staff. We assure you of our dedicated service. Indeed, as we launch into the implementation of the 3rd EAC Development Strategy (2006-2010), the staff is committed to work, as they presently say in Tanzania , with nguvu mpya, ari mpya, kasi mpya.

Honourable Ministers

In turning to the period ahead, we recognize several challenges that the regional organization faces. Among these are the ongoing court cases in the East African Court of Justice relating to the East African Legislative Assembly. As a result of the court cases, the activities of the East African Legislative Assembly have been paralysed at a time when the services of the Assembly are needed most. It is my hope, indeed the hope of everyone who has the interest of the Community at heart that we shall come to a positive solution so that this key pillar of the Community begins to operate without further delay.

Indeed, as you may note, due to these cases and the ongoing process of review and amendment of the Treaty, the Counsel to the Community is now not able to help the Secretary General to steer the various meetings, including this one. Among the proposals for immediate attention but which also has long term impact, is a proposal to create a position of Assistant Secretary to the Council of Ministers. This person will be responsible to the Secretary General in servicing the Meetings of the Community. Regrettably, I have not been able to obtain the consensus of the Co-ordination Committee on filling this position quickly. It will have to await the consideration of the Finance and Administration Committee.

As regards the ongoing National Consultative Process on the Political Federation, which is a major pre-occupation of the Community at the moment, it is noteworthy that the process is relatively on course. However, there is need, as the Summit directed last November, to intensify the effort to ensure the full expression and participation of the East Africa citizenry in the process. In this regard, the EAC Department of Political Federation has presented a proposal for additional resources for the sensitization and mobilization campaign which we request the Sectoral Council to consider favourably.

Honourable Ministers

Following the admission last November of the Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Burundi to join the Community, I am pleased to report that the preparations for the Accession of the two countries to the EAC Treaty have begun and I will be visiting Rwanda between 12 and 14 February to launch the relevant consultations. I had also planned a similar visit to Burundi on 15-16 February but the visit has had to be postponed because the Burundi top leadership will be attending the Franco-African Summit in France at the time. The visit to Burundi has now been rescheduled for March 2007.

Apart from the Accession Treaty, there are other requirements which have significant resource and budgetary implications which we shall be compiling in due course for the consideration of the Council. In this regard, I would like to point out that one of the documents before you at this meeting relates to a special budgetary requirement to extend EALA facilities in anticipation of new elected Members of the Assembly from Rwanda and Burundi .

Honourable Ministers

One of the major priorities in the aftermath of the launching of the 3rd EAC Development Strategy (2006-2010) is the strengthening of the relations with the EAC's development partners. The Development Strategy focuses on the delivery of tangible benefits, particularly in the infrastructure and energy sectors as well as trade and investments promotion. To this end, I am pleased to report very positive and close engagement with key development partners aimed at enhancing programme delivery.

In continuation of this engagement, the Secretary General, accompanied by the Deputy Secretary General (Projects and Programmes) and a technical team will visit the ADB in Tunis from 4-8 February to sign Financing Agreement for the Arusha-Namanga-Athi River Road construction and chart out a new MOU as well as agree on funding of various EAC projects. Also, EAC Ministers will be making a working visit to India from 18-24 February during which an MOU will be signed focusing on technical co-operation, trade and investments promotion between India and the EAC.

Honourable Ministers

With these remarks, I thank you for your attention and wish you fruitful deliberations.

Thank You!

ENDS
Leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

The writer is LUOCOME REPORTER based in Kisumu. We urge all LUOCOME members with pressing issues pertaining to media and press releases to kindly contact him from any where in world. He will assist you to get true picture of your Village Developement.
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