Africa-Press – Tanzania. AS the nation marks 61 years of the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar, the government said yesterday that numerous achievements have been realised, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the merger and socio-economic development on both sides of the Union.
Presenting the 81.86bn/- budget proposal for the VicePresident’s Office (Union and Environment) for the next fiscal year, Minister Masauni pointed out that several key initiatives were implemented between July 2024 and March 2025 to strengthen coordination, raise public awareness and ensure equitable service delivery in both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
The budget is up by over 19bn/- from 62.6bn/- of the ending 2024/25 fiscal year. Mr Masauni told the National Assembly that among the notable developments was the successful coordination of three Joint Committee meetings involving top government officials from both sides.
The meetings addressed four Union matters and demonstrated a shared resolve to maintaining strong collaboration.
In addition, nine bilateral meetings were held between ministries and institutions that handle non-Union matters. The sessions facilitated the exchange of policies, legal frameworks and technical expertise, helping to deepen cooperation and streamline operations on both sides.
The minister informed that efforts to enhance public understanding of the Union have also intensified, including introducing public media education programme.
Additional outreach activities took place during national exhibitions, such as Nanenane and Zanzibar Revolution Day, targeting the general public as well as Members of Parliament and other key stakeholders.
He said this year’s Union anniversary celebrations have been decentralised to regional levels throughout Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Various forums and public discussions have been held in both urban and rural areas to encourage broader participation.
Development efforts across the Union have also continued at pace, including road construction projects in Chake Chake, Tunguu and Makunduchi, the establishment of health centres such as Kiuyu Minungwini and Kizimkazi; and the expansion of Binguni Referral Hospital.
Agricultural and environmental initiatives are being implemented through programmes like the Tanzania Food Systems Resilience Programme (TFSRP) and the Beekeeping Value Chain Development Project (BEVAC). Additional projects include the restoration of degraded lands, climate resilience initiatives and coastal protection works in Pemba.
Union institutions continued delivering services in both Mainland and Zanzibar. Over 137,000 students were enrolled in undergraduate programmes through the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU), including nearly 5,000 in Zanzibar.
The Tanzania Education Authority (TEA) funded the construction of two student dormitories at Pemba Islamic Teachers College, and the Tanzania Meteorological Authority installed 35 weather monitoring stations across both regions.
Despite these achievements, the minister said the Union faces challenges including limited public understanding of Union matters, particularly among young people and low compliance with environmental laws.
In response, the government is implementing targeted educational programmes and strengthening enforcement of environmental regulations. Plans are also in place to expand public outreach through seminars, workshops and social media, with a focus on engaging youth.
“As the country prepares for the 2025 General Election, these developments serve as a testament to the enduring strength and promise of the Union,” Minister Masauni stated.
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