The Speaker of the East Africa Legislative
Assembly, Margaret Zziwa, bestows the EAC badge on IPP Executive
Chairman Dr. Reginald Mengi, in recognition of IPP Media work towards
East African integration, during a luncheon hosted by IPP for members
of EALA who visited IPP Media premises in the city yesterday. The East
Africa Legislative Assembly will hold its meeting for the first time in
Dar es Salaam from August 27th - September 4th, 2014 at the Karimjee
Hall. (Photos: Khalfan Said)
IPP Executive Chairman Dr. Reginald Mengi made this observation yesterday in Dar es Salaam when he met with the East African Legislative assembly commission led by the Speaker, Dr. Margaret Zziwa who visited IPP print and electronic media.
The delegation was part of EALA members who are in Dar es Salaam for forthcoming sessions of the EALA, slated for early next week.
Dr. Mengi told the members that for the community to be successful, it must be people driven and not for the leaders alone.
“It is my belief that for the community to be maintained, it is necessary that it is not for the leaders alone. The duty of leaders is to endorse the will of the people and implement what the people have accepted in their community,” he declared.
He told the EALA members that the people are always there while leaders come and go. “The people must be given priority in the issue of cooperation,” he said.
Dr. Mengi said where problems arise various groups of people within the community should present them to the EALA through their representatives. “I believe the leaders will understand this,” he asserted.
Leaders and the society, the citizens of the EAC zone, must think the East African Community way, he said, advising leaders to be careful with their statements and actions.
On security matters, Dr. Mengi said he hopes that where such problems arise, the EAC partner states will be in a position to support one another in solving them.
“We need to wish each other peace. If you go deep on security matters, it brings some doubts. So let us help each other as brethren. We shall succeed if we help one another,” he stated.
In another development, the IPP Executive Chairman accepted a request made to him by the Speaker of the EALA, Dr. Zziwa to make available all IPP Media outlets to cover the incoming Dar es Salaam EALA session.
“On Wednesday President Jakaya Kikwete will be officiating at the Assembly in Karimjee Hall. We request that you prioritize us and accord us a live broadcast so that East African people from Dar es Salaam to Rukwa and from Pakwach to Mtwara can see their Head of State talking to their representatives and to them,” the Speaker said.
Earlier Dr Zziwa had appreciated visiting The Guardian Limited premises, which publishes newspapers, and also saw the inside of ITV, Radio One, Capital Radio and TV, along with EATV and Radio.
“This is the private sector which has taken up an important role to reach out to the people. It has the role now of oversight on those governing and ruling. You are helping us to reach the people of East Africa through your media outlets,” she said.
Following that request, the IPP chairman said that this was not a ‘request as such, but an order.’
For his part, Adam Kimbisa, another EALA member thanked the IPP Chairman for the tour of the media houses.
He said that IPP was an East African media, making EALA members proud of having such a big and respected media house and super brand, “an achievement and a mark of excellence.”
Kimbisa urged IPP Media to follow up on constitutional issues which have attracted so many people.
“Let us make use of your media to educate people. Our people don’t know what this assembly is all about. What is it doing. We need them to be closer to us so that they may understand the reasons why this Assembly exits,” emphasized Kimbisa.
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
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