A GOVERNING body responsible for
Union issues will convene to resolve pending matters, including
establishing a joint finance commission and finance account, one of the
three pending problems of the Tanganyika-Zanzibar Union.
The Minister of State, Vice-President’s
Office, Union and Environment, January Makamba, said here, yesterday,
that challenges and gaps facing the Africa's oldest Union will soon be
resolved as a Joint Committee of the Government of the United Republic
of Tanzania and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar is expected to
meet this year for the purpose.
Other union issues include Isles shares in the Central Bank (BoT) as well as motor vehicle registration wrangle.
"We have made positive headways in
addressing Union issues and improving Union matters with a view of
strengthening our Union," Minister Makamba said at a press briefing over
the forthcoming 53rd Union anniversary to be held for the first time in
Dodoma.
Over 15,000 people are expected to
attend the celebration at Jamhuri Stadium, according to the event
coordinator, Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office (Policy,
Parliament, Labour, Employment, Youth and Disabled), Ms Jenista Mhagama.
President John Magufuli is expected to preside over the ceremony, she
added. According to Makamba, Union issues had dropped to three from 15
in 2006. "Union matters also increased to 22 from 11," he said.
The Minister was confident that
existence of proper procedures and systems to handle Union issues and
matters was clear reason Tanzania marks 53rd anniversary, next
Wednesday.
Tensions between the Mainlanders and
Zanzibaris has been resurfacing strangely in the registration of motor
vehicles, with the two sides of the Union treating motor vehicles from
the other as foreign-registered.
A vehicle registered in the
semi-autonomous island entering the mainland and vice versa is subjected
to a 20 per cent import tax. But, the Minister said a legislation
seeking to amend the Road Traffic Act of 1953 and accommodate new
developments is underway.
Notwithstanding, Mr Makamba said,
"Anytime from now the legislation will be amended and therefore end the
dispute." He also said documents with regards to the stake of Zanzibar
in the Bank of Tanzania are available and procedures were being carried
out to identify and issue dividends.
After the dissolution of the East Africa
Currency Board, Zanzibar and Tanganyika contributed to the initial
capital and subsequent establishment of the BoT. Zanzibar claims that it
contributed 11 per cent of the shares, yet it had not been paid its
legitimate dividend, thus sparking concern over the Union.
"We have the documents and I can confirm
it will be resolved soon," Mr Makamba told reporters. This year's Union
celebrations are expected to be exceptional, Minister Mhagama,
explained that other than the usual traditional dance, guard of honour
and commandos exhibiting their talents, secondary students from the
capital are expected to showcase their patriotism squad.
The six-hour event from 7am will also be
attended by senior government leaders from both parts of the Union,
political and religious leaders, envoys and the citizens. The Dodoma
Regional Commissioner (RC), Jordan Rugimbana, said the region was ready
to host the national event.
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