Principal Secretary in charge of East African Affairs, Betty Maina said peace and security are the key pillars for the social, economic and political development of any people.
“Peace and Security forms the basis for our operations across the region and across our borders, I therefore urge each of us to work towards this noble course,” Maina told students at the University of Kabianga, Kericho County.
She urged that the integration process pace will be curtailed if these two fundamental pillars are not adhered to.
Maina said students form a huge constituency whose contribution couldn’t be underrated if at all the region was to enjoy and realize its goals in pursuit of an integrated community.
The PS underscored the opportunities presented by EAC in terms of expanded markets and economy which translates to great opportunities for the young people.
She however challenged the students to equip themselves with relevant skills in readiness for the expanded market created by the East Africa integration.
The youths, the PS observed form the power base of any community hence in the spirit of fulfilling the “people centered, market driven: “approach of the community, they have to be incorporated in the integration process. ”
She elaborated on the pillars of integration from Customs Union to the anticipated Political Federation. Maina said much emphasis were laid on the Customs Union with basis on common external tariff, elimination of internal trade barriers as well as exception of custom duty on goods originating from East Africa.
Maina further added that the community which comprises of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi had signed the Common Market Protocol to ensure the three freedoms and two rights.
These freedoms, especially movement of workers and persons ought to operate within the premise of the laid down procedures and the law.
The University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Wilson Kipng’eno explicated that EAC provided great opportunities for the young people but most of them have not been exposed to the same. Enditem
Source: Xinhua
