• Suoday, Macch 8, j I The Staodacd WEEK IN REVIEW I Page 33 EACheads now endorse / northern corridor projects

By ABIGAEL SUM

East Afri can Heads of State have resolveo to ensure the various proj­ ects under the Northern Corridor Initiative become a success. In a joint communique, the Heads of State directed Ministers of trans­ port to develop effecti ve and attrac­ tive policies that will encourage the Northern Corridor private sector investment. The leaders noted progress in granting of the fifth Freedom Traffic Rights that has enhanced competi· tiveness among regional airlines. The ministers were asked to contin­ ue engaging with a view to re s o l ~e all outstanding issues and report progress at the next summit. The next summit will be held in in two months time. Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta (), Salva Kiir (South Sudan), Jakaya Kikwete (), (Uganda) and the host 's President issued joint instructions yesterday. The five presidents underscored the important ro le Lhe private sec­ tor plays in the regional economies and their contribution to develop- • ment. "The Heads of State consid- ered the Ministerial Report, en­ dorsed the recommendations contained therein," read the com- •

Wecandoit Rwanda's President Paul Kagame was host of the East African Heads of State summit that underscored development.

munique. The swnmit directed the ministers responsible for human resource capacity building to im­ plement payment of uniform tui­ tion fees in all public educational institutions. It further reaffirmed the importance of continuous monitoring of cargo at the port of Mombasa and appreciated the in­ tegration of the Regional Customs TI·ansit Guarantee System with Rev­ enue Authorities Systems wllile stressing the need for compliance to curtail the emergence of new Non-Tariff Barriers. On power generation, transmis­ sion and inter-connectivity, the conference stressed the need for continuous investment in the ener­ gy sector. The Heads of State wel­ comed the announcement by Bu­ rundi to end its observer status from now on and fully participate in the Northern Corridor Integra­ tion Projects Initiative. Other observers in attendance included Gervais Rufyikiri, second vice president of the Republic of , DrTedros Adhanom Ghe­ breyesus, Minister for Foreign Af­ fairs, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Or Richard Sezib­ era, Secretary General of EAC.