Legal and constitutional reforms are central to resolving the longstanding problems that bedevil the Zanzibar and Mainland merger.
A meeting convened in Dar es Salaam to discuss Union matters recommended yesterday that constitutional reforms on mineral and oil exploration be co-opted into the national debate on the future of the political federation.
At present, only gas exploration receives such treatment.
Briefing journalists about the outcome of the meeting attended by Cabinet ministers from the Mainland and Zanzibar, Prime Minister Edward Lowassa and Chief Minister Shamsi Vuai Nahodha said the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) should have an equal number of representatives from either side.
The distribution of funds from foreign donors and profits made by the Bank of Tanzania as well as from minerals and oil were some of the issues that were discussed at length.
The meeting agreed that a consultant on the distribution of wealth generated through mining and oil extraction be hired to advise the Union government on how it can be shared equitably.
The meeting also proposed that a deep sea fishing authority be formed to administer the income generated by the sector and distribute it between Zanzibar and the Mainland.
It was decided that 50 per cent of the income would be used to finance the operations of the authority and the other 50 per cent be distributed on the basis of 60 per cent for the Mainland and 40 per cent for Zanzibar.
Double taxation, which Zanzibar businessmen have often complained of, was discussed.
The meeting tasked the committee on economy and trade to study the complaints about double taxation and submit their recommendations by end of next month.
An amendment to the law to legalise the operations of the Human Rights Commission in Zanzibar would be sent to parliament in October this year for debate and eventual enactment, the meeting was told.
It was also resolved that another consultative meeting be held in September.
During the meeting the government used the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to consolidate the merger.
’Serious problems exist in the Union. Leaders from both sides must be serious and unite to resolve them,’ the Vice-President, Dr Ali Mohamed Shein, said as he opened the high-level meeting that involved Cabinet ministers, their deputies and senior government officials from both sides.
Prime Minister Edward Lowassa and Zanzibar Chief Minister Shamsi Vuai Nahodha closed the meeting.
’The new government is determined to iron out longstanding differences in the Union. I appeal to government leaders from both sides to discuss these issues transparently and openly,’ Dr Shein said.
He appealed to ministers and heads of department to organise regular Union meetings to draw up recommendations to strengthen it.
’We are faced with complaints from the public that need to be resolved,’ he said, adding: ’Tanzanians voted for us in CCM because they know we can solve Union problems. We should not let people down.’
The Union, according to Dr Shein, could speed up the country’s political, social and economic development.
The problems in the Union, he said, should not be the basis for people to ridicule, disrespect and discredit its purpose.
When he came to power, President Jakaya Kikwete announced that his government would strive to resolve Union problems. He said the problems were a threat to the Union.
