13th January 2013
“Our Union is firm and since its founding has earned our country great esteem internationally,” remarked the soft-spoken but tough Isles leader in a speech to mark the Zanzibar revolution in festivities at Amaan Stadium.
The celebrations were attended by ordinary people and high-profile figures from both sides of the Union, including retired President Ali Hassan Mwinyi, former Isles Presidents Abeid Amani Karume and Dr Salmin Amour, present and former prime ministers Mizengo Pinda and Frederick Sumaye, and senior government officials.
Also in attendance were members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of political parties, civil societies and ordinary people.
In his address, Dr Shein said despite some challenges facing it, the Union has registered significant strides—in terms of political, economic and social development and strengthening of peace and stability.
He, however, admitted that last year Zanzibar witnessed incidents sowing chaos and violence that were later on controlled by defence and security organs, which painted a bad picture on the history of Tanzania as a haven of peace.
But he warned that Isles government will continue taking punitive and firm measures against perpetrators of violence and destructive elements, noting that “we will not tolerate such activities at all.”
According to Dr Shein, both the Union and Zanzibar governments would continue to cooperate in promoting unity and solidarity which have brought us peace, stability and achievements.
The Isles government also vowed to conduct a protracted battle against bad governance, corruption and drug abuse in Zanzibar, saying that it had already stepped up initiatives to tackle the vices.
The health of many Zanzibaris, especially among the youth, has been impaired by use of drugs, he said, noting that “the government in cooperating with various NGOs has taken steps to curb the use of and trafficking of these drugs. Security units and community peace have enjoined to fight the drugs business.”
On the promotion of good governance, Dr Shein said his government had enacted the prevention of corruption and economic sabotage Act. No 1 of last year, created an anti-corruption authority and appointed its director general. He express the hope that “people will cooperate with this authority in driving corruption out of Zanzibar.”
The President promised to install strategic drives aimed at fast-tracking development of key sectors--fisheries, agriculture, livestock-keeping, infrastructure, local industries, etc—with a view to improve the Zanzibaris’ living standards.
He pledged to direct extra efforts on the promotion of agriculture (depended upon by 80 of Zanzibaris and accounting for 23 per cent of Isles’ GDP) to make it more productive and contribute more to the economic and social development of the people.
Describing infrastructure as the basis for development, Dr Shein said construction and renovation of roads, ports, airports and electricity projects in both Unguja and Pemba will be prioritised.
He said the government was taking various steps to help livestock keepers through donor-funded project like the Agriculture Sector Development Fund –Livestock (ASDF-L), which gives them training in better animal husbandry. So far, 115 new groups of herders and 180 old ones in Unguja and Pemba have received training under the programme, he said.
Through the Zanzibar Investment Promotion (ZIPA), the government will attract more investments from foreign and local entrepreneurs, he further stated.
“But development of these investments and economic prospects would require reliable electricity…I am glad to announce that we will soon inaugurate a major power project, the Zanzibar Second Interconnector (Millennium Challenge) for the supply of 100 megawatts.
Zanzibar Revolution commemoration was coloured by a procession staged by social groups, government ministries and agencies, police brass band and traditional dances from both sides of the Union.
Upon his arrival, Union President Jakaya Kikwete was accorded the presidential salute from members of security forces, while Dr. Shein, the chief guest, inspected a parade mounted by security forces after which he received a 21-gun salute.
SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY
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