The Ministry of East African Community (MINEAC) on Friday awarded certificates of recognition to several key players for their role in promoting regional integration in the country.

The certificates went to members of the High Level Task Force (HLTF) which negotiated the Common Market Protocol last year, the National Consultative Committee on fast tracking the political federation (NCC) and the media.

Speaking at the award-giving ceremony at Hotel des Mille Collines, EAC affairs Minister Monique Mukaruliza hailed the three categories of people awarded for their selfless efforts in enhancing regional integration.

She particularly commended the media for having played an instrumental role in disseminating information to masses on the progress the country has registered in integrating with other partner states in the regional bloc.

"The level at which the population understands these integration issues is because of the media.

Without them, we wouldn’t have reached where we are today,” she said.

Different media houses were awarded. These included; The New Times, Rwanda Information Office (ORINFOR) and Contact FM.

The Minister called on all the stakeholders to double their efforts in deepening regional integration, saying that although several achievements had been registered, a lot still has to be done.

"We still need concerted efforts to achieve more,” Mukaruliza said

Meanwhile, in efforts geared towards sensitising Rwandans on EAC affairs, MINIEAC will tomorrow hold a sensitization workshop for all media practitioners on the contents of the just signed East African Community Common Market Protocol.

The Protocol was signed by all the five Heads of State in November last year and now awaits ratification by the five partner states before it starts full operation.

Ends