THE Civic United Front (CUF) presidential nominee for Zanzibar, Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, has vowed to improve infrastructure both in Unguja and Pemba Islands if he wins the October General Election this year.

 

THE Civic United Front (CUF) presidential nominee for Zanzibar, Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad, has vowed to improve infrastructure both in Unguja and Pemba Islands if he wins the October General Election this year.

His plans include the construction of new seaports, airports, and marine transport to link the islands. “We are going to open Zanzibar economically by declaring the whole islands free port, attract investors, create jobs for all Zanzibaris regardless of age, and we must bury any discrimination,” he said at the Tibirinzi grounds in Chakechake District, Pemba Islands yesterday.

He said Zanzibaris should expect big results from CUF should he win the elections, including abolishing tax on rice imports so that all people can get the staple food at affordable price.

“We have already formed committees to oversee and advise how best we can improve services in all sectors,” Maalim Seif said adding that the action would be taken within three months after he is sworn-in.

The struggle for Zanzibar’s sovereignty also remains a priority to Mr Hamad. He added that Zanzibar has never been a colony. “Zanzibar was a protectorate, and later opened embassies in many countries around the World.

This current structure of the union between us and Tanzania mainland is not good for Zanzibaris; we must have our sovereignty back” he said.

Former Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) cadres: Mr Hassan Nassor Moyo , and Mr Mansour Yussuf Himid described Maalim Seif as a typical leader fit for Zanzibaris mainly because he believes in uniting the people.

This is the fifth time that Maalim Seif is vying for Zanzibar’s top position. He said there are people including leaders who are against GNU, arguing that Zanzibar can never move on well without unity enshrined in the government of national Unity formed by Maalim Seif and former president Dr Amani Abeid Karume in 2010.

Meanwhile, ANNE ROBI reports from Dodoma that another CCM Cadre, Dr Mussa Karokola, yesterday collected the presidential nomination forms bringing to a total of 32 CCM members who have picked up the papers so far.

Addressing a news conference shortly after picking the forms, Dr Karokola pointed out that his priority would be the development of strategies that would ensure stable economic growth if he happens to take over from President Jakaya Kikwete.

“The first task is to get rid of leaders suspected to have contributed to weaken the economic growth in one way or another,” he noted as he pointed some of the government leaders including Ministers who have weakened the country’s economy growth.

Dr Karokola also pointed that he would ensure all the local industries are restructured in order to generate income and employment to the citizens and thus contributing to the economic growth.

He identified out Tanga Milk production industry in Tanga Region as one of the projects that he would make sure it is fully owned and benefits the ‘wananchi’ in Tanga, mostly the farmers. He accused the Minister for Trade and Industries for having an ill plan to take over the industry from the ordinary citizens to the foreigners.

He appealed to President Jakaya Kikwete to intervene and make sure the industry is taken back to the ‘wananchi’, he said. On the other hand, the CCM Cadre said that he was the right person fit to bear the party’s flag noting that he does not see any other person among those who have declared interests.

According to him, most of those who have declared interests and some longing to take over President Kikwete’s place were dirty and unethical and thus have no qualifications to bear the party’s flag