ACT demands independent international audit of 27 projects in Zanzibar

Unguja – The opposition party ACT-Wazalendo (Zanzibar) has called on the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar to engage an independent international auditor to review government expenditure on 27 projects, alleging that some tenders were awarded illegally or that costs were inflated.

Speaking on Saturday, August 10, in Magomeni, a few kilometers from Amani Stadium where CCM was also holding a youth rally, ACT-Wazalendo Vice Chairman Ismail Jussa Ladhu criticised the government's handling of these projects.

He asserted that the role of the opposition is to hold the authorities accountable and provide alternative perspectives so that the electorate can weigh out their options.

According to Jussa, claims that ACT-Wazalendo lacks ideas and merely spreads propaganda are misguided and fail to recognize the party's role in advocating for "New Zanzibar, One Zanzibar, Zanzibar with full autonomy."

"The only party that has clearly articulated its vision is ACT-Wazalendo through the ‘Brand Promise’, showing exactly what we stand for," Jussa said.

He emphasized that the opposition’s role is to scrutinize the government and highlight its shortcomings so voters can make informed choices.

He argued that critics of the party have no grounds to make demands of them.

He further stated that when the opposition exposes issues, it is the responsibility of the government to respond to the concerns raised, if at all it has any answers.

“Unfortunately, in most cases, the government fails to address the issues we raise. Despite our ongoing rallies and numerous exposed issues, none have received appropriate responses,” he added.

According to him the projects that require independent audits include the construction of 10 District hospitals and one regional hospital, construction project for Schools in Unguja and Pemba, procurement Project for Electric Poles through ZECO, procurement project for fishing Boats under the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, and construction project for fish ponds.

Additionally he said the leasing of 20 islets around Unguja and Pemba Islands, sale of government owned buildings in Stone Town, the installation of Dnata Ground Handling Services from Dubai at Terminal 3 of Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, and the award of port management deal at Malindi Port to Africa Global Logistics (AGL) from France.

The list also features the installation of an e-Ports network at a cost of $6 Million at Malindi Port, and the procurement of machinery and equipment for port services which is alleged to have cost Sh16.5 billion at Malindi Port among others and the refurbishment of the Amaan Stadium.

He said that these plus many others such as the Public Procurement System (Epros) which was awarded to Oman Data Park Company are some of the reasons why they have on several occasions questioned expenditure of public funds on projects.

Jussa concluded that, given these concerns, it would be best practice for the government to allow an independent international entity to audit these 27 projects to ensure transparency and accountability.