Take Part Fully in EAC Talks

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

11 May 2011

editorial

For the country to get the best out of the East African Community, it’s important that Tanzanians fully participate in all forums dealing with matters affecting the regional bloc. Of course, the same is expected of the nationals of all the other four partner states – Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.

The progress recorded since the revival of the EAC in 1999 has confirmed just how beneficial it is to all the members. It is for this reason that Tanzanians’ apparent lukewarm approach to EAC issues must be shed for a more proactive mien. Therefore, the low turnout at the public hearing on the proposed East African Community Trans-boundary Ecosystems Management Bill is disturbing.

It is a shame that very few people attended the crucial meeting to air their views in this crucial Bill. We can no longer afford to be left behind when important issues concerning the EAC are being discussed.

The Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Tourism of the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala), which organised the session, says only a few observations were made on how to improve the Bill. The proposed legislation is crucial, as it will require the partners to cooperate on the environment and natural resources management.

There are developments that are bound to have a regional impact if implemented in any of the five countries, hence the importance of overarching legislation. It is through such legislation that issues with possible regional ramifications such as the much-debated proposal to build a road through the Serengeti National Park, can be effectively handled.

AllAfrica – All the Time