The newly appointed EAC Secretary General, Dr. Richard Sezibera, this week said that he will work to ensure that the Monetary Union is realised on time.

In his maiden press conference in Arusha, Tanzania, Sezibera also identified the realisation of a single customs territory, operationalising the Common Market, infrastructure development and industrialisation as priorities during his term.

"We have very strict deadlines on the Monetary Union,” Dr. Sezibera observed, adding that work had already begun and "we shall put emphasis on making sure that Partner States reach an agreement to deliver the Monetary Union on schedule.”

The 9th Extraordinary Summit in Dar es Salaam last month tasked the EAC Council of Ministers to undertake studies on how the region can attain a single customs territory.

"The formation of a single customs territory is a critical priority going forward,” he said.

Sezibera added that development of regional infrastructure was also paramount as good roads, railways and ports, among others, would be critical for the region to have an effective customs territory and common market.

He said the EAC was working with various partners to actualise Public-Private Partnerships as a financing option for key infrastructure projects in the region.

The Secretary General pledged to engage members of the media fraternity frequently and urged them to work with the EAC Secretariat in advancing the integration agenda.

Meanwhile, the Rwandan Diaspora community in Arusha is organising a welcome gala for the new EAC boss.

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