Prime
ACT: Nation in peril due to lack of rule of law
ACT- Wazalendo cadre Ismail Jussa adressing a rally at Chubwini, Unguja
What you need to know:
- The party says it has smelt a rat over the huge cost involving the rehabilitation of the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar, currently standing at Sh52 billion.
Unguja. Opposition ACT-Wazalendo said irresponsible leadership that does not adhere to good governance and rule of law will cause serious losses to the nation.
Speaking at a rally in Chwaka, Unguja, party cadre Ismail Jussa said there is a danger that those in power use big development projects to hide their corrupt acts.
Citing a recent case that was filed by British developer, Pennyroyal, he said there was danger that the country could end up paying large sums of money in compensation for the disputed property should the claimants win the case filed at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
Last week, British real estate company, Pennyroyal Ltd, the developers of Blue Amber Resort filed a claim against Tanzania for alleged breach of contract following revocation of a title deed on which the Blue Amber Resort was being constructed. It has since emerged that the investor could be seeking a claim of worth more than Sh2.5 trillion.
“Though the land in question is in Zanzibar, the case has been filed against the United Republic of Tanzania because of the nature of our union, but should the union government say otherwise then the entire burden will lie on the Zanzibar people.
“The money which I am told could run into Sh2.5 trillion which is Zanzibar’s entire budget will not come from the pockets of those responsible for such actions but it is the citizens who will bear the brunt,” said Mr Jussa.
He alleged that authorities wanted to offer part of the land to a certain investor from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) without the consent of the owners.
He further spoke of the huge costs involving rehabilitation of both Amani and Benjamin Mkapa stadiums on both mainland and Isles, saying ‘it does not make sense.’
"The other day, the Union government announced it had secured a contractor for the rehabilitation of the 60,000-seater Benjamin Mkapa Stadium at Sh31 billion, and yet the rehabilitation of the 12,000-seater Amani Stadium is set to cost Sh52 billion. This is not possible and points towards only one thing! corruption!" he said.
Speaking at the same rally, the party’s vice chairman Othman Masoud said nothing will stop his party from questioning malpractice in the government.
Mr Othman said there was a need to fight for administrative and governance systems and ensure leaders who come into power are voted by the people so that they have the ability to hold them accountable when they go against their wishes.
He said the citizens were having difficult time to hold accountable leaders who got into power not through their votes because they do not have the power to hold the accountable.
“Therefore, we must have leaders who fear the citizens and work for the interests of our country,” he said.
