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Pinda: Zanzibar is integral part of United Republic of Tanzania
2008-07-05 09:59:46
By Hannah Mwandoloma, Dodoma
Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda told the House on Thursday that Zanzibar is not a separate country but part of the United Republic of Tanzania and will remain so until the constitution is changed to state otherwise.
Responding to a question by Yahya Issa (Chwaka, CCM) during the Prime Minister`s question time on Thursday, Pinda said the constitution was very clear on the matter.
``There is no doubt about it; it is very clear in our constitution that Tanzania is one and will continue to be so until decided otherwise,`` the PM stressed.
Legislator Issa had claimed that the PM was quoted on June 27, as saying that Zanzibar was not a country.
He said without Zanzibar there was no Tanzania, but stressed that it had its own government, flag and anthem.
``I was very shocked when I heard you say that Zanzibar is not a country in spite of all those instruments I have mentioned. What do you tell my people now if Zanzibar is not a country?`` asked Issa.
Pinda clarified that the United Republic of Tanzania was a union republic consisting of the Union government and the Revolutionary government of Zanzibar, noting that the two governments should not confuse people into thinking that Tanzania and Zanzibar were two different states.
Responding to another question by Mohamed Abdallah (Pangani, CCM), who had wanted to know government efforts to ensure natural gas resources were utilised, Pinda said the government was committed to end the energy problem in the country.
``Gas is the kind of energy that we can rely on and the government is determined to ensure that the mission is accomplished,`` said Pinda.
Commenting on the killings of albinos and elderly women, Juma Njwayo (Tandahimba, CCM) asked the government to declare its stand on the matter.
Pinda said he was shocked to hear there were such incidents in Mtwara. To his understanding, he said, such incidents had been reported in other places, pledging to instruct the police chief to follow up the matter.
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