{{A Zanzibar minister yesterday said the Constituent Assembly (CA) will likely be a missed opportunity for the welfare of the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar.}}
Justice minister Aboubakar Khamis Bakary (CUF – House of Representatives), said the Union was bogged down with shortfalls which could be effectively rectified if a treaty-based model would be adopted.
“Much as the Constitution Review Commission has proposed a three-tier Union government structure, what we have to do is support it because all we want is development,” he said.
The Union foundation was not adhered to, as most of the decisions were made by only one latent side, namely Tanganyika, he said.
“There are about 30 Tanzanian embassies abroad, yet a mere three of the envoys are from Zanzibar…are we not clever enough to hold the posts?” the minister, who doubles as a member of the Constituent Assembly, queried.
“Not a portion of fertilizer worth Sh10 billion belonging to the Union government was sent to Zanzibar,” lamented the minister, stressing that such shortfalls have to be rectified.
“What does the Union government have to do with non-Union matters in the East African integration process when the Zanzibar government is present?” Mr Bakary queried.
Clauses 4 and 6 of the Articles of the Union implying that Tanzania comprised three separate authorities indicated the intent to have a three-tier merger right from the inception, he added.
“Remove the coat hiding Tanganyika to vividly show the existing three governments,” he said.
NMG
Leave a Reply