President Magufuli advocates for industrialisation of the EAC region

Tanzanian President, Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli has advocated for industrialisation, infrastructural development and revitalisation of the energy sector in the region.

He cited infrastructural developments and the revitalisation of the energy sector as key ingredients to speeding transformation.  He expressed concern about the high cost of transport and energy, saying it results in situations where the costs of travel had scaled up almost four times in comparison to other regions.

Magufuli was addressing the East African Legislative Assembly in Dodoma, Tanzania on Tuesday, a press release said.

According to findings by Power Africa in 2015 results show the region only has 6500MW which cannot entirely support the region's development. In that regard, the President called for other alternatives to be sought.

"We must reverse the trend and assist the region.  I challenge you Mr Speaker and Members to see what you can do," he said.

He revealed that natural gas and the rare helium gas were available in Tanzania and said such benefits should for example be spread across the entire region. The President said the alternative energy initiatives would assist boost the national grid adding an additional 2100 MW which would be sold in the region.  "As Tanzania, we shall do our part," he said.

The President rallied for the industrialisation and infrastructural development of the region, saying it held the key for the transformation of the United Republic of Tanzania and the entire region.

The President said time had come for the region to "think big and beyond parochial issues" and urged the regional Assembly to take a central role in ensuring the full integration and development of the EAC was realised.

Magufuli who addressed the House in Kiswahili, reiterated his remarks by saying the region was resource rich but that the citizens were yet to benefit from the same and called for removal of barriers, injustices, imminent suspicions and fears of the region. The President further reiterated his country's commitment to the EAC.  "We are totally and fully behind the integration process and we shall fast-track decisions we take for the benefit of the regions", he remarked.

The President said the EAC must add value to its raw materials. The region should add value by processing raw materials to the end in order to create employment and build stronger, efficient

Magufuli hailed and acknowledged the Speaker and Members for making it possible for him to deliver his inaugural speech to the House. "I thank the Speaker for the decision to bring the meeting to Dodoma for the very first time and noted the idea of the rotational principle by EALA would go a long way in creating awareness of the citizens," he said.

The President remarked the region was on the verge of removing all Non-Tariff Barriers to further boost volume of trade.    He said the progress in the region included the expansion of Membership (EAC) and called for strengthening of the integration process further. In the regard, President Magufuli appreciated the decision of the House to debate on the East African Monetary Institute Bill, 2017 acknowledging its contribution to the quest for the single currency. The President also acknowledged the decision by the Assembly to visit the Northern and Central corridors, for which the House had already debated.

Magufuli remarked the region should resolve the conflicts stalling the integration process and implored EALA to contribute to the solutions.

The President said Tanzania was equal to the task of completing the expansion of Dar Port and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) which he stated, would link Tanzania to Burundi and Rwanda as well as to the DRC and Uganda.

In attendance were key government officials led by the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Majaliwa Kassim Majaliwa, senior officials of Government, Legislators of the Parliament of Tanzania, Dodoma elders, religious leaders and Members of the Diplomatic corps among others.

In his welcome remarks, the Speaker of the EALA, Martin Ngoga Karoli said the assembly was fully supportive of the call to expedite the establishment of the EAC Monetary Institute and other related institutions as a precursor to the harmonisation of the fiscal and monetary policies revolving around the establishment of the eventual single currency.

The Speaker further called for the speedy amendment of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC saying a number of areas needed to be refined or re-defined, to strengthen the incremental approach towards deeper integration.  Ends-