Union and Zanzibar governments yesterday announced that nine out of 18 issues, which had been impeding smooth operations of Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar merger have been resolved and their agreements signed. In the course, two other challenges were resolved but did not require signing of agreements because they are purely operational.
Vice-President, Dr. Philip Mpango, who led the deliberations that culminated into the agreements' signing on the consensus matters, described the move as historic. "This is a historical event that guarantees Tanzanians on both sides of the Union comfortable living. I urge all government executives to respect the signed accords," he said.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa and Zanzibar's Second Vice-President Hemed Suleiman Abdulla were also present at the Tourism College Hall, Maruhubi, where the meeting took place. It was arguably the first ever big meeting with almost all Ministers from both Governments to deliberate and resolve 11 issues less than two days. In their short speeches, Dr. Mpango, Mr. Majaliwa and Mr. Abdulla attributed the speed in resolving the challenges in the union affairs to efforts by the top leaders - President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Zanzibar's, Dr Hussein Mwinyi, who have been, since they took respective offices, demanded fast resolve of the Union grievances, which had persisted since 2006.
The resolved issues relate to deep sea fishing in the economic zone; distribution of Union job opportunities in the 79:21 ratio for the mainland and Zanzibar, with the full involvement of Zanzibar in the recruitment process. Other matters are the sharing of the General Budget Support (GBS) in which, Zanzibar gets 4,5 percent. Under the new agreement, the Islanders will have additional advantage of direct support from donors without necessarily seeking the consent from the Union Government.
The two sides of the union further resolved delays in signing the loan contracts for rehabilitation of Mnazi Mmoja Referral Hospital and construction of Chake-Chake road in Pemba, whose signing was delayed reportedly due to the need for the Union Government to guarantee the loan by assets as per loan providers' requirement. The contract for loan from Exim bank of China for the construction of the new Mpiga Duri seaport will be reviewed as the costs were too high.
Taxes collected on mobile phone uses by Zanzibar Revenue Board (ZRB); Visa and other revenues collected by the Immigration Department and barrier for Azam Milk produced in Zanzibar to sell in Tanzania mainland were as well amicably resolved. Two issues - the appointments of Deposit Insurance Board (DIB) Member from Zanzibar and Deputy Chairperson from Zanzibar in Tanzania Revenue Appeal Tribunal (TRAT) are other challenges resolved, but did not require signing agreements because they are purely operational.
Ministers who signed the agreements were Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba and his Zanzibar counterpart Mr. Jamal Kassim Ali. Others were Mr. Abdalla Ulega and Mr. Abdalla Hussein Kombo (Deep Sea fishing in economic zone); Mr. Soud Nahodha Hassan (Agriculture Minister-Zanzibar); and Mr. Mohamed Omar Mchengerwa and Mr. Haroun Ali Suleiman (Civil Servants).
Attorney Generals from Zanzibar and Union Government witnessed the signing ceremony, which took place after two days of intensive discussions led by the Union Affairs Minister, Mr. Suleiman Jafo and the Zanzibar's State Minister, Dr. Saada Mkuya Salum at preliminary session on Monday before Dr. Mpango joined in yesterday to conclude the deals. Chief Secretaries from both the Union and Zanzibar as well as Zanzibar House of Representatives' Speaker Zubeir Ali Maulid were also present. Meanwhile, Ministers from the Union Government, who were here for the two-day meeting to discuss issues related to strengthening of the union, were vividly impressed by Zanzibar's new infrastructures. Most of them said it has moved Zanzibar to another level of development.
After a daylong meeting on Monday, all the Ministers from both Zanzibar and Union Government visited the Azam Milk factory in Fumba coastal village, followed by the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport Terminal III, where Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba admired the modern buildings. "This is big development, we could see such buildings in televisions and people who travel abroad, but now we have our own," Mr. Nchemba expressed his feelings saying that Zanzibar is heading towards good direction in development.
State Minister (Union Affairs and Environment), Mr. Suleiman Jafo observed that Zanzibar is changing fast in terms of achieving development goals, and that people should be thankful to the current leaders President Samia and Dr. Mwinyi. "Zanzibar looks beautiful with many changes in infrastructures, let us support our leaders by working hard, maintaining peace and stability, which are crucial for any development," Mr. Jafo said.
State Minister, First Vice-President's Office, Dr. Saada Mkuya Salum informed journalists that the discussions in Zanzibar which involved all senior ministers from both side of the union, were well conducted and that such meetings would be held whenever there are challenges