Africa-Press – Tanzania. ZANZIBAR President Hussein Mwinyi has assured UK government that, the fight against crime is among his top priorities aimed at making isles safe for residents and visitors.
Mwinyi made the remark at the Zanzibar State House on Wednesday when he met and held talks with the British High Commissioner to Tanzania, David Concar.
The President said that, since Zanzibar is a business hub in East Africa, there is a need of ensuring that the fight against crime is given priority.
Mwinyi further called upon the UK government, to support isles by providing them with body scanners to be used at airports and the port.
“There is a lot to do to fight crime following the current trend in the country,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to the UK government for various supports it has been extending to Zanzibar.
President Mwinyi further said that, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and Zanzibar is one of the important steps towards the fight against crime.
He said the fight against maritime crime require the use of various technologies. Mwinyi called upon UK to support in the area in order to strengthen the isles anti-smuggling forces (KMKM).
The President further assured the envoy that the Union government is ready to guarantee isles government in various projects. He commended the move to hold a business forum between UK and Zanzibar later next year, noting that the move will promote isles internationally.
He despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of tourists visiting Zanzibar has increased this year mainly from Eastern Europe.
On his part, Concar expressed happiness for Zanzibar readiness to sign the MoU with his government aimed at collaborating in fighting crime.
He said that, historically, Zanzibar is a business hub, the situation that has made it to be a target for criminals.
The High Commissioner further commended, Dr Mwinyi for one year of his leadership and achievements attained pledging close cooperation with the government.
He said that the UK government will assist in getting institutions that will provide soft loans for isles to strengthen infrastructure among others roads and Karume Aiport in Pemba.
Meanwhile, Minister of State in First Vice President Office Sada Mkuya Salum said that the MoU signed between the UK and Zanzibar governments will allow Britain to support isles in various spheres in fighting crime especially illicit drugs.
She noted that Zanzibar government is intending to make amendment of the law which will change the anti drug commission to be authority so that to give it legal power in the fight against importation , transportation and the use of illicit drugs .
The Minister said that UK government will support in building capacity to executives of the drug authority in various areas so that they can effectively supervise the implementation of the law.
Anti Drug Commission Executive Director Burhan Nassor said that the MoU aimed at building capacity to commission officials so that they can deal with the problem effectively.
He noted that, there were various stakeholders supporting the fight against illicit drugs including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime which has showed interest of providing body screening machines to be used in all entry points in the country.
Mr Burhan called upon all people dealing with illicit drug business to stop immediately because they can be netted through various technologies.
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