Zanzibar has scheduled 62 development projects to be launched during the week leading up to its independence day on January 12th, beginning with a nation-wide sanitation exercise Friday (January 4th), Tanzania's Daily News reported.

On Saturday, Zanzibari President Ali Mohamed Shein will open the new Institute of Public Administration building in Tungu, and a new e-government control centre at Mazini, both built with funds from the Chinese government.

Vice President of Tanzania Mohamed Gharib Bilal will open a five-star tourist hotel in Nungwi Village on Sunday, and President of Tanzania Jakaya Kikwete will open a new school called Mlimani the following Thursday.

Prominent government figures in Zanzibar and Tanzania will continue presiding over similar project inaugurations throughout the week, including secondary schools, medical laboratories and student dormitories.

Minister of State for National Events Mohamed Aboud Mohamed defended the extended celebration, which will cost an estimated 600 million shillings ($380,000). "We should not think the money is spent lavishly, it is spent on development projects," he said.