Raza named in airport saga

 

Mr Mohammed Raza, member of the Zanzibar House of Representatives for Uzini speaks at a past event. His company, Zanzibar Aviation Services and Travel Trade, has been accused of running the airport without a concession agreement. PHOTO | FILE 

By Mwinyi Sadallah, The Citizen Correspondent

In Summary

• The revelation was made by the chairman of the Communication and Construction Committee, Mr Mahmoud Mohammed Mussa, when presenting the committee’s 2012/2013 report to the House.

Zanzibar. The Zanzibar Aviation Services and Travel Trade (ZAT) has operated for 18 years without a concession agreement contrary to the law, the House of Representatives has been told.

The revelation was made by the chairman of the Communication and Construction Committee, Mr Mahmoud Mohammed Mussa, when presenting the committee’s 2012/2013 report to the House.

“ZAT has been operating for 18 years now, but I wonder why it has no Concession Agreement,” remarked Mr Mussa.

He noted that despite efforts undertaken by the Zanzibar Aviation Authority to compel the company to sign the agreement, no progress has been made.

He reiterated that apart from lacking the contract, the company had never paid operating funds derived from the collections of airlines landing and flying from Zanzibar.

“The government through the ministry of Finance once called for the payments amounting to not less than Sh400 million, but the company owner ended up promising to pay, however, he had not done so by the time this Committee finalised its report,” said Mr Mussa.

Mr Mussa noted that the committee’s efforts to reach ZAT officials, including one of its owners, Mr Mohammed Raza, who is the House Representative for Uzini, proved futile after it answered in writing that all key officials had emergencies to attend to while others were sick, saying that they were unable to appear before the committee.

“Honourable Speaker, the Committee urges the government to ensure that the funds are recovered from the company together with ensuring that the company signs the concession agreement to operate at Zanzibar Airport,” he said.

He said based on the principles of good governance, the company must comply with the laws of the state in offering its services like other companies, saying that currently the company is denying the government its revenues.

However, this reporter could not find the company’s owner, Mr Mohammed Raza Dharamsi, for his comment as his phone was not reachable.

ZAT has been operating for 18 years now, its deals partly include; cargo inspection, loading and off-loading.