The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
10 July 2009
A war of words has erupted between the Union and Zanzibar law makers, following a declaration early this week that oil and natural gas resources were not for sharing.
The Deputy Minister for Energy and Mineral, Mr Adam Malima hit back yesterday, saying the Union government did not recognise the Zanzibar government's stand.
Few hours after Mr Malima's comments, some members of the House of Representative in Zanzibar scolded him, saying their government would remain firm.
Answering a question in Parliament, Mr Malima said the Union government regarded the remarks by a Zanzibar minister over oil and gas as an unofficial statement from the isles government.
"I have just heard about the matter over radio. There are procedures to follow, when discussing such issues.
We have not received any official correspondence from the Zanzibar government," he noted adding: "In this case, I believe that the remarks were from the minister personally and not an official position of the Zanzibar government."
He was responding to a supplementary question by Kigoma North MP Zitto Kabwe, who had challenged the government to state its stand over the remarks by the Zanzibar Minister for water, Works, Energy and Land, Mr Mansour Yussuf Himid.
Mr Himid was quoted as saying that Zanzibar government had already communicated its decision to the Union government.
Mr Malima agreed that the issue of sharing oil and natural gas between the two sides of the Union remained contentious and it was a topic for discussion at the joint committee under the Vice-President's office.
Mr Malima insisted that it was only the National Assembly with powers to decide which matters to be classified as Union matters or matters under Zanzibar authority.
"It was on July 26th 1968, when Prime Minister Rashid Kawawa brought a motion before parliament seeking to include oil and natural gas on the list of Union matters. It was discussed and approved by both sides before it was passed by the parliament," explained Mr Malima.
Responding to the main question by Magogoni MP Vuai Abdallah Khamis, the Deputy Minister Malima said the government had commissioned a UK based consultancy company AUPEC to advice on how to share costs and revenues from exploration, drilling and production of oil and natural resources in the United Republic of Tanzania. But the Representatives could have none of Mr Malima's reaction.
They insisted that Zanzibar government had powers to amend the list of Union matters. They made the remarks when debating Mr Himid's budget yesterday morning after question and answer session.
"I have heard Mr Malima speaking in the Parliament; but I want to tell him that his statement will not influence our position," said Zakia Omar Juma (Special Seats-CUF). The Representative said:"the position taken by the other side is disappointing,"
She said it was just a beginning of a campaign to have 11 more common matters on the Union list dropped in the interest of Zanzibar. The Tumbatu Representative, Mr Haji Omar Kheir (CCM), also said there was no turning back on oil and gas issue as the decision did not contravene the Constitution.
His statement was supported by Mr Abbas Juma Muhunzi (Chambani-CUF), who said the best way to show that the House was serious on that issue was to implement their resolutions without delay. Reported by Faraja Jube, Dodoma and Salma Said, Zanzibar
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