Members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) have come up with surprising demands for regional citizens to buy them luxurious vehicles to facilitate their movements. The MPs, who are currently holding a session in Kampala, Uganda, kicked off proceedings on Monday with demands for $1.3 million (Rwf968.5 million) to buy luxury cars, arguing they are entitled to transport facilitation just like national parliamentarians from the EAC partner states. The EALA MPs never cease to amaze. They seem to have “deep rooted” grievances every session; if it is not bickering and fighting each other, it’s demands for huge allowances. Now they want the regional taxpayer to foot a $50,000 (Rwf37.3 million) bill on each of the 45 MPs to buy the vehicles. EALA Speaker Dan Kidega claims the MPs face transportation challenges when they go back to their respective countries, where they are expected to reach out and consult the community. But aren’t the legislators paid salaries and transport allowance, etc, to cover such costs? Besides, it is a job that does not need to move around in huge cars at the taxpayer’s expense. If they feel they are not facilitated enough, and their salary is too little to meet the demands of the job, why not show their displeasure by resigning? The legislators are expected to pass two key Bills - the EAC Electronic Transaction Bill, 2014, and the EAC Creative Industries Bill, 2015 - during the 14-day session. Such is what the public would like to see the MPs spend time discussing. It is high time EALA MPs looked beyond themselves and worked for the general good of the region. As EALA legislators, they are expected to lead exemplary lifestyles and not to promote schemes that fleece the taxpayer.
