A total of five Radar Stations and over 30 automatic weather stations have so far been added to the East African regional network. It was revealed in Mombasa.
That was revealed in Mombasa during the Ministerial Session of the 19th East African Community Sectoral Council on Transport, Communications and Meteorology.
The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of the Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Andrea Aguer Ariik Maleuth said in order for East Africa to cope with climate change and improve the safety of air transport, the community must equip itself with automatic weather stations and to adopt quality management systems for Aeronautical Meteorological Services.
“The modernisation of meteorological services also depends on the institutional frameworks and currently,” he said.
The DSG pointed out that only three countries have autonomous agencies responsible for meteorological and hydrological services, thus it is important that the region moves as one in this respect.
Speaking at the meeting, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport Davis Chirchir said that meteorology plays a critical role in the region’s ability to anticipate and mitigate the impacts of climate change and natural disasters.
“Accurate and timely meteorological data are therefore essential for planning and protecting our infrastructure, agriculture, and communities,” Chirchir said.
Chirchir also emphasised the critical role of digitalisation in promoting connectivity and economic growth noting that in today’s digital age, communication is the bridge that connects all nations and entities, transcending geographical boundaries.
“It is through effective communication systems that we can share knowledge, foster innovation and build a cohesive community,” said the CS.
Meanwhile on the envisaged regional Railways network, it was observed that the eight member states forming the East African Community plan to have a total of 6,220 Kilometers of Standard Gauge Railways between in the near future.
DSG Ariik said Kenya and Tanzania are already pioneering the development’
“A total of 1,120 kilometers of SGR is operational in Kenya and Tanzania, a further 1,100 kilometers is under construction in Tanzania and about 4000 kilometers is under project preparation in all Partner States. The EAC will harmonise the standards to ensure seamless operations across the regional network,” said Ariik.
The DSG disclosed that in rail transport, Partner States are pushing on with projects to actualise the East African Railways Network connected through the Standard Gauge Railway and hailed the United Republic of Tanzania for the recent launch of services between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma.
Uganda is also planning its own Standard Gauge Railway which will link the country to the neighbouring countries of Kenya, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, as part of the East African Railway Master Plan.
Akiir said that to achieve seamless connectivity of the railway system, synergy must be built in joint resource mobilisation to ensure there are no gaps that would render the programme ineffective.
The Deputy Secretary General further underscored the role of transportation in facilitating the movement of people, goods, services and resources and improving access to local and international markets.
He said that the main purpose of investing in infrastructure development along the Northern and Central Transport Corridors is to facilitate the movement of people and enhance intra-regional trade which is still low and currently stands at 15 percent.
“Intra-regional trade in Europe, Asia and Latin America ranges at over 60 Percent. Intra-regional trade can promote economic integration and development within a regional economic community, as well as increase trade flows and reduce dependence on external markets,” said Hon. Ariik.
Also present at the meeting that was conducted in a hybrid manner were: Hon. Dieucoune Dukundane, Minister for Infrastructure, Equipment and Social Housing (Burundi); Dr. Jimmy Gasore, Ministry of Infrastructure; Hon. Dennis Londo, Deputy Minister Foreign Affairs (Tanzania) and Hon. Geoffrey Baluku, Minister of State ICT and National Guidance.
Representing Ministers at the meeting were Capt. David Subek Dada, Director General, South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority (South Sudan) and Mr. Said Mohamud Ahmed, Director General and Director Finance and Administration (Federal Republic of Somalia).
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