Tanzania, Feb. 1 -- Arusha. Voices were raised here yesterday on the increasing number of the East African Community (EAC) member states.

Speakers at a special session of the regional Assembly called for more elaborate plans before admission of new members to the bloc is made.

It was argued that the EAC in operation today was modelled on the topology of three original states; Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.

"There was no critical planning for expansion," said Kenneth Bagamuhunda, the former EAC director general of Customs and Trade.

He told a special sitting of the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) that there should not be any haste for admitting new members.

This, he said, will enable regional leaders to avoid admitting countries...