EAC Reaffirms Commitment to Infrastructure Development to Boost Trade

The East African Community (EAC) has reaffirmed its commitment to infrastructure development aimed at boosting intra-regional trade and free movement of persons across the Community’s seven (7) Partner States. 

EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Eng. Steven Mlote assured a visiting delegation from the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania (URT) Parliamentary Committee responsible for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security of the EAC’s readiness to implement various infrastructure projects coordinated jointly by the Secretariat and Partner States.

The committee led by its Chairperson, Vita Rashid Kawawa, was on a one-day working tour to the EAC Headquarters in Arusha over the weekend.

They also toured the 42.4 km Arusha ByPass road, which was launched by the EAC Head of States in July this year. 

Eng. Mlote cited ongoing infrastructure development projects including the Arusha-Holili-Taveta-Voi road, Malindi-Mombasa-Lunga Lunga/Horo Horo-Tanga-Bagamoyo road, Nyakanazi-Kasulu-Manyovu-Rumonge-Bujumbura road, Lusahunga-Rusumo/Kayonza-Kigali road, Masaka-Mutukula/Mutukula-Kyaka road and Bugene-Kasulo-Kumunazi road.

“Other projects are Uvinza-Kanyani, Uvinza-Mpanda and Kibondo-Mabamba/Gisuru-Rusengo and Makebuko-Bugarama roads, Kakira– Malaba and Busitema– Busia-Kisumu-Kisian-Busia (proposed expressway) road,” said Eng. Mlote.

On his part, Kawawa expressed gratitude for information shared by the EAC Secretariat and requested that the entire Tanzanian Parliament should be informed about the ongoing programmes and projects aimed to ease transportation in the region.

“Infrastructure is a very important enabler in the EAC region in terms of helping to transport farm produce and different goods to the market,” said Kawawa.

Article 89 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC provides for coordinated construction, maintenance, upgrading, rehabilitation and integration of roads in the region.

In order to promote the achievement of infrastructure related objectives as set out in the Treaty, the Partner States undertake to improve and expand the existing transport and communication links and establish new ones as a means of furthering the physical cohesion and connectivity of the Partner States, so as to facilitate and promote the movement of traffic (people and goods) within the Community.