Briefs EAC week focuses integration awareness
on Cyanika One Stop Border Post Rubavu-Goma to have One Stop Border Posts In the offing
The Ministry of East African Community (MINEAC) from 17 to 21 November 2014 conducted the fifth EAC week aimed at creating awareness and sensitization among Rwandans and other stakeholders.
Plans are underway to construct One Stop Border Post (OSBP) at Cyanika border in northern Rwanda to facilitate rapid movement of persons and goods using the border.
The EAC week was conducted under the theme “EAC Regional integration: Benefits and Opportunities.” During the week, different activities were conducted, including meeting the press and the breakfast meeting with the Rwandan business community.
The Minister for East African Community Amb. Valentine Rugwabiza in December 2014 visited the border to assess the implementation of some of the regional projects like the use of IDs as a travel document and she was impressed.
Travelers from Rubavu, western Rwanda to the Congolese town of Goma will now find it easier to cross from one side to another after construction of One Stop Border Post (OSBP) at the Rubavu-Goma border was launched mid December 2014.
Funded by the Howard G. Buffet Foundation to the tune of Rwf6 billion, the modern border facilities which will be shared by Rwanda and Congolese immigration and customs officers are expected to ease movements of persons and cargo thus facilitating commerce between Since Rwanda joined the EAC in “Most of the initiatives like the use the two neighboring countries. 2007, she has immensely benefited of national identity cards to travel, from the regional bloc. single tourist visa are working here Howard Buffet, an American entrepreneur mogul and a philanthropist and we are impressed,” she said. laid a foundation stone at La CorMINEAC trains journalists on EAC integration niche border also known as Grande Rwandan journalists believe journalists because when we are Barrière in Rubavu to mark the bethat they have a responsibility to knowledgeable we pass correct ginning of construction works of the ensure that Rwandans understand information to the society. border buildings. the significance of East African I can now be able to report Community (EAC) integration. comprehensively on regional issues,” Murenzi Geofrey, a Though most of the local freelance journalist based in Kigali journalists have not yet prioritized said during the workshop. EALA gets new Speaker reporting on EAC integration, they are ready to embark on analytical reporting looking at the University of Rwanda impact of the regional integration The East African Legislative Assemhosts on Rwandans and the economy. bly (EALA) on 19 December 2014 East African elected Rt Hon Dan Fred Kidega as The Ministry of East African the new Speaker. Hon Kidega beastronomy workshop Community (MINEAC), the came the fourth Speaker of EALA, coordinating institution of replacing Rt. Hon Margaret NanThe fourth East African AstronRwanda’s integration into the East tongo Zziwa who was removed from omy workshop, sponsored by the African Community, recently Office. Hon Kidega was elected unIAU Office of Astronomy for Deorganized a training workshop for the Rwandan journalists to velopment, was hosted by the Uni- opposed after his main contender, equip them with the knowledge to versity of Rwanda in Kigali City Hon Chris Opoka- Okumu stepped report on the EAC but also share between June 30th and July 4th down. information on the achievements 2014. The two were the only ones valof the integration process since idly nominated. In his acceptance The workshop concerned with the Rwanda joined the EAC in 2007. status and the development of as- speech, the new Speaker pledged to uphold the dignity of the House Over 70 members from the media tronomy research in East Africa. at all times and to apply the Rules fraternity undertook the intensive without fear or favor. The workshop aimed at strengthtraining delivered by MINEAC’s ening the capacity in astronomy in communications specialists and other experts from the same the region; to train upcoming sci- “You will note that as a House, we entists and to provide a platform have a big and challenging task ministry. for the exchange of ideas and shar- ahead of us to legislate and represent a Community whose activities and “I hadn’t given much attention ing of resources in East Africa. Membership is expanding fast,”Hon to integration matters before. Kidega said. It’s a good initiative to train www.mineac.gov.rw July-Dec 2014 7
