Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of East African Cooperation, Ms Stargomena Tax

The government has refuted claims that it was deliberately delaying various stages involved in the establishment of the East African Community (EAC) integration process.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of East African Cooperation, Ms Stargomena Tax, said on Tuesday that the claims do not make sense since the government believes that the EAC integration had more advantages than disadvantages. She said that there has been misinterpretation or misunderstanding of the country’s position especially in the formation of the EAC political federation.

According to the PS, the emphasis by the Tanzanian government was that integration should go step by step as indicated in the agreement for the establishment of the community. She said, in that matter, the countries should first strengthen and implement the Customs Union and the Common Market while completing discussions on the establishment of a monetary union.

“We are still insisting that we should move the integration process step by step. We will be ready to discuss the establishment of a political federation after effectively implementing the common market, customs union as well as the monetary union,” she stressed.

Ms Tax insisted that it was the responsibility of the government to defend the interests of its people in all matters involved in the integration, just like other EAC member states were doing. She said the country had agreed with the recommendations by experts that there should be implementation of the already signed protocols in order for its benefits to be specified before rushing into other stages.

“If we refuse to agree with some terms in the integration process, Tanzanians should understand that we are doing so with their interests at heart,” she said. Ms Tax challenged Tanzanians to effectively use the open employment and business opportunities in other EAC member states.

By DORA TESHA, Tanzania Daily News

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