National Assemblies key in integration - Kidega

By Vision Reporters
 
The Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, Daniel Kidega has called for further strengthening of relations between the regional Assembly and the national Parliaments to bolster the integration process.   

 Kidega paid a courtesy call on the president of the Rwanda Senate, Bernard Makuza and the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Donatile Mukabalisa in their respective chambers.
 
Kidega hailed the Senate for its role in development of the country through effective oversight, legislation and its outreach program.  He said the Senate had played a key role in promoting parliamentary diplomacy and enhancing inter-parliamentary relations, commending its’ approach as progressive.  
 
He informed the president of the Senate that EALA had at its 4th meeting in Arusha (January 2015), passed a Resolution to establish a Select Committee on genocide. The Select Committee is to study and consider ways and means of combating, outlawing and preventing genocide.  

It shall make proposals on how EALA and other institutions of the EAC can provide leadership in the fight and prevention of genocide.  This should include the development of instruments and institutional capacity in the Community.
 
“This matter is close to my heart. When the genocide happened 21 years ago, it had a devastating effect on Rwanda and the region as a whole and we say it should never happen again,” Kidega remarked.
 
The EALA Speaker stated that regional legislature had among other things, earmarked re-branding as one of its priorities following the leadership crisis it suffered last year. He thanked the Senate and Chamber of Deputies for bearing with EALA and for letting the democratic will of the people to be realized on the one side while embracing the principle of non-interference on the other hand.
 
He remarked that EALA was keen to catch up with the backlog of pending work.  At the last Sitting in Arusha in January, we passed 2 key Bills while another six sailed through the first reading.   A number of resolutions and reports were also debated and adopted.  We are on the run as an Assembly, and there is no looking back for now,” Kidega said.
 
The President of the Rwanda Senate, Bernard Makuza challenged EALA to refocus and to ensure it served the citizens of the EAC region with utmost dedication.  He remarked that the Rwanda Senate and the country as a whole, remained totally committed to the integration process.  
 
“We shall play our part in enhancing the collaboration through the continuous participation in key activities such as the Inter-Parliamentary Relations seminars and the Inter-Parliamentary games which are good for sensitization of the publics,” Makuza maintained.
 
Makuza also affirmed that the Senate would collaborate closely with the Select Committee on genocide to enable it accomplish its work. He said the Senate had initiated research into the genocide ideology and revisionism of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
 
“The research is expected to be completed in the next three months,” Makuza remarked. In attendance were the Vice Presidents of the Senate, Harerimana Fatou and Gakuba Jean d’Arc and EALA Members, Christophe Bazivamo and Celestine Kabahizi.  

He lauded the Council of Ministers for the recent introduction of the Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers Bill, 2014 at EALA, noting that, if passed, would ensure free movement of goods for the betterment of the Community.  

He re-echoed that Rwanda’s development was on track owing to the incisive leadership of President Paul Kagame.  “We are proud that we can associate with President Kagame and with the developments of this great country,”  Kidega said.