Oil, natural gas are Zanzibar resources not Union's matters

PIUS RUGONZIBWA in Zanzibar Daily News; Saturday,August 02, 2008 @00:02

Also in the News New HIV/AIDS project launched in Dar TSN now streams online videos State drops charges against ex-minister's wife Appeal Court upholds death penalty for Iringa man Captain George Mazula is dead Athletes warned over doping Oil, natural gas are Zanzibar resources not Union's matters Mwanza leads in albino killings - Masha New HIV/AIDS project launched in Dar Livestock, fisheries in steady growth A Minister in the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar has declared in the House of Representatives that natural gas and oil won't be and can not be included in the Union matters. Those are Zanzibar resources, for Zanzibar people. Mr Mansur Yusuph Himid, the Minister of Water, Lands, Construction and Energy made the comment in the House on Thursday when he was responding to some of the concerns raised by Representatives, while contributing to the estimates of the Ministry of State in the President's Office, responsible for Finance and Economy. Mr Himid conquered with various Representatives who went as far as saying all eleven matters of the Union should be taken to Zanzibar for reviewing, to see how Zanzibar was losing and where it benefited in her sharing of those matters with Tanzania Mainland. "Mr Speaker many things have been said about sharing natural gases and oils that were discovered in our country. It is time every one spoke the truth. In this matter, we are saying: "No!" Natural gases and oil will remain properties of Zanzibar," he said, while amid cheers by Representatives from both CCM and CUF camps. Other Representatives, apart from Minister Himid, made it clear that Zanzibar was dwindling economically because there were factors including the long list of Union matters, that contributed to the current economy of Zanzibar . They suggested how Zanzibar could immediately recover from the poor economy it was swimming in. They said it was high time that Zanzibar financial organs started functioning independently like Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) or Tanzania Roads Agency (TANROADS) did on the Mainland. "Mr Speaker, all revenues generated in Zanzibar should be under Zanzibar based Revenue Authority. Let us now start to emulate how TRA and TANROADS are operating and take a lesson," said Mr Said Alli Mbaruk (CUF-Gando). On the dividend of Bank of Tanzania to Zanzibar, Representatives demanded dividend of 11 per cent shares instead of 4.5 per cent shares received now. The Chairman of Finance and Economy Committee earlier told the House that the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar was shocked to hear that Zanzibar didn't contribute anything as part of the capital that formed BoT. However, the Chairman, Mr Salmin Awadh Salmin said Zanzibar was pleased by the 1.60bln/- profit share of 2007/2008 from BoT, but insisted the profit was calculated from 4.5 per cent shares. He said measures should be taken to determine exact shares and dividends Zanzibar was entitled from BoT. On the performance of TRA Zanzibar, the Committee Chairman said it was not happy with the way tax holidays were granted to investors. He said TRA Zanzibar have to collect more taxes and detect leakages. In 2006/07 TRA Zanzibar collected 30.40bln/- and in 2007/08 by the end of June it collected 39.69bln/-, hence the urgent need for the tax collectors to increase efficiency and shun corruption. In 2008/09 it has projected to collected 49.37bln/-. Presenting the Ministry's budget estimates to the House, the Minister of State in the President's Office - Finance and Economy, Dr Mwinyihaji Makame Mwadini told the House that the People's Bank of Zanzibar would not be privatized as it planned earlier. He said the Bank had managed to reach a performance target of 5bln/- capital as directed by the Bank of Tanzania. The Revolutionary Government had already communicated to BoT about the bank's development and cancelled an earlier plan to privatize it, he noted. "Following these achievements, the Bank now plans to open its Website and install Automated Teller Machines at all Unguja and Pemba Branches where Master Cards, Visa Cards and other International Cards will be accepted," Dr Mwadini told the House on Thursday. According to the Minister, PBZ recorded a tremendous performance by doing business of 64.70bln/- in 2007/08, comparing to 56.40bln/- the previous year which was a gain of 115 per cent. One of the introduced services in this financial year is 'Islamic Banking Products'. To ensure the expansion and sustainability of its services, PBZ according to the Minister, plans to open a branch in Dar es Salaam in 2009. He said that was a challenge to ensure every cent of its customers is collected."The Bank has many customers in the capital city who are trading there and they are missing the service of their bank. We are planning to bring them closer to PBZ next year," he pointed out. The House endorsed a total amount of 12.46bln/- for current expenditures and 27.07bln/- for development expenditures for 2008/09.

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