Northern Corridor Integration Projects meet reviews progress

The Northern Corridor Integration Project countries yesterday started their twelfth summit in Kigali to review progress achieved in the implementation of earmarked projects. The summit, which is held every two months, began with a two-day meeting of senior regional officials, heads of institutions and permanent secretaries from the participating countries who will prepare a report on the progress for regional ministers. Officials at the meeting represent the four countries who are part of the initiative; Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan. Ministers representing member countries will hold a session on Wednesday to review the report prepared by their countries’ technical teams after which they will present a progress report to the Heads of State. Monique Mukaruliza, the national coordinator of the Northern Corridor Intergration Projects, told The New Times that over the four days, delegates would review the progress in the 14 earmarked projects, emerging issues, challenges as well as the way forward. “The summit is also a chance to report and evaluate directives from the previous summit,” she said. Other than the members of the initiative, observers keen on working with the body on selected projects are also attending the summit. Among the observers present at the summit include, Burundi, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Tanzania and Djibouti. Bodies such as East African Community (EAC), the Northern Corridor Transit Transport Coordination Authority and the Regional private sector are also represented. ‘Keen for partnerships’ Mukaruliza said observer states and bodies are keen on possible partnerships and involvement in the regional projects. “Ethiopia, for example, is keen to supply power to the region which calls for harmonisation of infrastructure such as power grids,” Mukaruliza said. “DR Congo is interested in the planned railway and energy projects. The Northern Corridor Transit Transport Coordination Authority will use the forum to look at how they can further reduce the non-tariff barriers that affect trade in the region.” The summit will also see the regional private sector present a memorandum of understanding that will guide their engagement with governments in the implementation of the earmarked projects. The private sector initiatives came together at the 11th Northern Corridor Integration Project heads of state summit which took place in Kampala in July. One of the alliances, Northern Corridor Technology Alliance, seeks to take the lead in earmarked information and telecommunication projects without foreign involvement. In a recent interview with Robert Ford, the coordinator of the alliance, the body noted that their involvement will be through responding to the earmarked projects in NCIP and at the same time look beyond the projects to inform the implementation of the projects. “We seek to be recognised by the four Northern Corridor countries as the private sector body implementing the joint project,” had said. The Northern Corridor Integration initiative has so far identified 14 projects that range from infrastructure development to harmonisation of regional framework in several aspects. A number of projects in the initiative such as single Customs Territory, One Area Network, and construction of the standard gauge railway are already underway. The operation of the One Are Network has been credited for the significant increase in the number of calls and revenue within the region. The regional framework (One Area Network) is comprised of four countries, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan who agreed to eliminate additional taxes and levies on international calls, text and data within the region. The Single Customs Territory has also been credited with shortening the transit time for goods in the region to and from the port of Mombasa. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Northern Corridor Integration Projects meet reviews progress