Africa: New SADC Chair to Prioritise Infrastructure

New SADC Chair to Prioritise Infrastructure

BuaNews (Tshwane)
NEWS
16 August 2007
Posted to the web 16 August 2007

By David Masango
Lusaka
The new chairperson of the SADC, President of Zambia Levy Patrick Mwanawasa is to prioritise a number of focus areas during his term, including regional infrastructure development.

He takes over the chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) from the Prime Minister of Lesotho Pakalitha Mosisili.

President Mwanawasa, will focus on among others, developing regional infrastructure, the SADC Fund and establishing a Free Trade Area (FTA).

“In order to achieve this goal [of infrastructure development in support of regional integration], road, rail air transport, telecommunications and energy development are going to be the main catalysts of our integration process,” he explained.

In his acceptance speech during the 27th SADC Ordinary Heads of State and Government Summit, which officially kicked off in Zambia Thursday, Mr Mwanawasa said he was aware of the enormous challenges of guiding the overall implementation of the SADC common agenda.

President Mwanawasa said the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan entails amongst others, strong infrastructure development.

He explained that SADC had registered “remarkable” successes since its inception because all member states mobilised their resources and cooperated closely to shape a common destiny.

“Together we must ensure that all SADC institutions fully exploit existing opportunities and explore new ones in order to promote and accelerate regional integration in a dynamic manner,” he emphasised.

Regarding the SADC Infrastructure Development Fund, Mr Mwanawasa explained that it drew its strength and support from the New Partnership for Africa’s Development initiative.

“We therefore have to focus on those infrastructure programmes and projects that facilitate quick and efficient linkages in our communication systems.

“This requires prioritising the development of the regional trunk road network, strategic air transport facilities and the most effective telecommunication network that will enhance intra-regional travel and communication,” he explained.

The consolidation of the FTA, he said remained elusive partly due to the inherent production structures, which he said had remained by and large unfavourable, and the continued existence of intra-regional trade barriers between member states.

This situation is compounded by the existence of a number of overlapping and sometimes conflicting regional integration programmes in the region and Africa at large.

He praised the work being done by the SADC Joint Ministerial Task Force of Ministers of Trade and Finance to come up with recommendations to move forward, in regional developments and relations with other regions.

He cited the negotiations with the European Union on Economic Partnership Agreements as an example of this.

He promised to work tirelessly with members and other partners, where necessary, during his tenure in office to ensure that SADC finds a solution to those challenges.

“In particular, my priorities will include ensuring the full operationalisation of a Free Trade Area in which SADC members fully implement commitments with respect to the tariff liberalisation schedules as well as addressing the elimination of non-tariff barriers,” he said.

The chairperson also acknowledged the improvement in peace and security in the region and congratulated Lesotho, Madagascar, Tanzania and Zambia for holding successful elections.

“These elections will further entrench the tenets of democracy and good governance in our region,” said Mr Mwanawasa.

Other challenges that the chairperson is faced during his term in office include food security, the environment and natural resources.

He called on member states to implement the Dar-es-Salaam Declaration on Food Security, which entails that governments allocate 10 percent of their national budgets to agriculture and increasing the use of organic fertiliser, amongst others.

The chairperson pointed out that climate change was a threat to food security and development as it amongst others negatively affected food production; caused floods that damaged crop and infrastructure and caused droughts.

Mr Mwanawasa said the abundant natural resources and wildlife found in Africa, if fully exploited, could contribute considerably to the region’s socio-economic well-being.

He also pledged to fight HIV and AIDS, and to improve gender equality.