Nepotism, putting self interest first and weak leadership are to blame for the challenges facing Zanzibar and not the Union, Mr Shamsi Vuai Nahodha and Mr Mohammed Raza have said.
Mr Shamsi Vuai Nahodha
The two Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) leaders said in separate meetings in Zanzibar over the weekend that those blaming the Union for Zanzibar’s problems needed to think twice.
“There are obvious things taking place in Zanzibar, such as the loss of about 20bn/- from the Zanzibar Electricity Company (ZECO) and the loss of 40bn/- from the airport extension project. How can one blame the union in such matters? I think we should be fair,” said Nahodha when addressing CCM cadres at Baja ground in Jangombe constituency.
Nahodha, a former chief minister who now holds the post of Minister for Defence and National Service, asked CCM members to elect aggressive and hardworking leaders, arguing that since the death of Abeid Karume, the first president of Zanzibar, none of his successors had performed to the people’s expectation.
However, Nahodha said at the rally that although he loved the union, both the two government structure and the proposed three-tier union had problems. He said challenges have existed for a long time in the current union structure because the committee formed to discuss the problems lacked constitutional backing.
“I propose that Zanzibar be allowed to decide on its own issues pertaining to international relations and loans. If we wish to borrow from abroad, or wish to join the Organisation for Islamic Conference (OIC), we should be free to do so,” Nahodha said at the rally.
He also proposed that in the forthcoming constitution, Zanzibar president should be the union’s first vice-president and vice versa. “There should be equal opportunities in the union, including job balance,” he said.
At a press briefing in Zanzibar, Raza blamed greed, jealousy, discrimination and lack of good leaders for Zanzibar’ miseries. “There have been problems in the union, but we should blame ourselves first,” Raza said, as he called for unity among Zanzibaris in fighting for Zanzibar’s rights.
By ISSA YUSSUF, Tanzania Daily News
