Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE government has expressed its full commitment in strengthening the Union through resolving all contentious issues, saying the two parties, Mainland and Zanzibar Islands are closer to finding lasting solutions to the existing hurdles.
The Minister of State, Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Selemani Jafo told Parliament that Tanzania has made impressive political and economic strides and that resolving Union matters remains a priority for the mutual development of the nation.
Towards ironing out contentious issues, the minister said that so far five hurdles have been resolved and approved while seven others have been concluded and are waiting for signatures from the Joint Coordination Committee for Union Challenges.
Tabling his ministry’s budget estimates for 2021/22, which amounts to 28.7bn/-, Mr Jafo said the government focus was to ensure the Union benefits both sides, Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
He said a joint coordination committee from both sides of the Union was formed to deal with various challenges that faced the Union, which turned 57 years on Monday and that the team had managed to remove five contentious issues from the list in October, last year.
According to Mr Jafo, some of the issues agreed by the two sides were; the costs to import cargo from Zanzibar at the Dar es Salaam Port, Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (RGZ) participation in the East African Community (EAC) and the RGZ’s involvement in international and regional issues.
Others involved Zanzibar extractive industries issues and timetables and procedures for the joint committee meetings.
The Minister said seven issues that are lined up for approval include supervision of phone services tax calculation and collection by Zanzibar Revenue Board (ZRB), challenges on milk imports from Zanzibar and delay in signing agreement for the construction of the road from Chake Chake to Wete in Pemba between the government and Saudi Fund.
Others include the signing of an agreement for the construction and renovation of Mnazi Mmoja hospital.
The Minister said Zanzibar will also be listed in the Deep Sea Fishing Act. According to Mr Jafo, the government is committed to strengthening the Union and that there would be no room to tolerate anybody who dares to weaken it.
Mr Jafo outlined some of the success of the Union as strengthening of brotherhood between the two sides as well as maintaining unity, peace and tranquility in the country.
He named other feats as defence and security, growth of economy and other business opportunities in both sides as well as proper utilisation of the country’s resources including land and the Indian Ocean.
On environmental protection and restoration issues, he said, the National Environmental Policy, 2020 implementation is in the offing, also integrating environmental issues with industrial economy development.
Parliamentary Committee on Constitution and Legal Affairs member, Mr Joseph Mhagama recommended the proper management of chemicals and protection of environments.
Meanwhile, as Tanzania marked 57 years of the Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar on Monday, congratulatory messages have kept pouring in.
The latest message is from Dr Peter Mathuki, the newly appointed East African Community (EAC) Secretary General.
In his letter to President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the EAC Secretary General asked the Almighty God to continue blessing the United Republic of Tanzania and the EAC at large.
“I therefore, on behalf of the Community on this first day of duty, convey my best wishes to Your Excellency (President Samia Suluhu Hassan), the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania as they mark Union Day,” said Dr Mathuki who has just vacated a post as East African Business Council Chief Executive Officer.
