Africa-Press – Tanzania. PRESIDENT John Magufuli yesterday affirmed full Union government support to the Zanzibar’s Government of National Unity, saying the Isles needs to maintain its focus on development agenda.
President Magufuli gave the assurance yesterday, after meeting with President of Zanzibar Dr Hussein Mwinyi and his First Vice-President Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad at his residence in Chato District, Geita Region.
President Mwinyi and his vice’s visit came just two days after the Indian Ocean semi-autonomous Island celebrated the 57th Anniversary of the 1964 Revolution.
Dr Mwinyi, formerly the Minister for Defence and National Services in the Union government, was elected the 8th President of Zanzibar during last year’s General Elections and has hit the ground running in his early days in the Isles top office.
And President Magufuli was full of praise for Dr Mwinyi for the efforts that he is taking to bring development and instill discipline in government spending in Zanzibar, urging him to maintain the spirit.
“You have started really well, very well indeed,” he eulogized, encouraging the Zanzibar leader not to shy away from making bold decisions for the greater interest of the nation and its people.
Dr Magufuli also applauded Maalim Seif, for agreeing to work together with the President Mwinyi in the GNU, saying the decision has been of greater impact towards unifying Zanzibaris.
“I assure you of total cooperation in all development moves that the government of Zanzibar is making… It is encouraging to see that all top leaders, president, first and second vice presidents are preaching about unity, peace and harmony,” he said in an event that was live broadcast.
According to President Magufuli, the decision of working under GNU was crucial for the development of Zanzibar, expressing his optimism that with the speed that the isles leaders are taking, the economy of Zanzibar will significantly grow.
“The government of Zanzibar is on the right truck, and for me, I will never walk alone. You will be having full support from the union government. “President Mwinyi isn’t afraid of taking tough decisions against those who are abusing the public offices,” he insisted.
The president also asked Maalim Seif to help Dr Mwinyi implement well his responsibilities as reforms the Zanzibar Islands in pursuant of socio-economic prosperity.
According to Dr Magufuli, Maalim Seif boasts good experience in the government as he worked with President Ali Hassan Mwinyi in the 1980’s, and now working with Dr Mwinyi, his contribution is necessary in pushing forward the Isles’ development agenda.
“I will plan a tour for Pemba and Unguja to thank our people there for trusting the government and continue maintaining peace and harmony, it’s time for us to work together for our own development,” he said.
The Head of State also backed up Dr Mwinyi’s suggestion to establish a zoo in Zanzibar with the aim of stimulating tourism activities in the Isles, saying since the country’s laws allow that, they will consider selling some of the wild animals to Zanzibar at government indicated prices.
For his part, Dr Mwinyi thanked President Magufuli for his willingness and commitment to support and work with the Isles’ GNU.
“All these achievements wouldn’t be possible without the support from President Magufuli, who has been in the front line on ensuring everything goes well, his support has been vital to the moves we are making now,” he noted.
Dr Mwinyi applauded President Magufuli as a champion of national unity, since the Union leader believes that peace and harmony is the key to development.
Earlier, Zanzibar’s First Vice-President Maalim Seif, apart from commending Dr Magufuli for his commitment of working together with GNU, appreciated development projects and plans being executed by the government.
“I have seen by myself the ongoing construction of the Magufuli Bridge connecting Kigongo-Busisi area, indeed it’s a promising project that its completion would facilitate movement of people, goods and services,” he explained.
He was optimistic that all these efforts will transform the country in all aspects.
Dr Mwinyi also visited the Mganza international fish market at Kesenda area in Chato District, and promised to strengthen trade cooperation between fish traders in Chato and those in Zanzibar.
The Mganza fish market, is the second largest fresh water fish market in the country. Fishermen at Mganza market export fish to neighbouring countries of Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Malawi and DR Congo.
The Zanzibar President, who was accompanied by the Zanzibar First Vice -President Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, said; “We are relatives, we will continue doing business together in order to uplift our citizens economically.”
Dr Mwinyi said his visit to the area was helpful since he had learnt that it was important to establish an international fish market for fishermen in Zanzibar, considering that the Isles now focus to exploit the lucrative blue economy.
Earlier, Livestock and Fisheries Minister Mashimba Ndaki said the country’s fisheries sector contributes to efforts for eradicating poverty and the country’s economic growth.
In adding value to fish products, the government has built 16 fish markets countrywide, with six of them along Lake Victoria. Chato district leads in having many fishing activities in Lake Zone, having a total of 8259 fishermen.
In 2020, the country ex- ported 5755 tonnes of fish products, worth 7.3bn/- out of which 2.4bn/- went to the government in terms of royalties and taxes, while in 2019 the country exported 4571 tonnes worth 6.7bn/- and the government earned 1.7bn/-.
