Hamad disparages underperforming ministers

AS the first term of the Zanzibar Government of National Unity (GNU) comes to an end after the October 25 elections, Civic United Front (CUF) isles presidential candidate Seif Sharif Hamad has expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of ministers.

“I’ll only have committed and hard working ministers in my next GNU. Lazy ministers will have no place in my government if elected,” he declared here at a campaign rally at Kipangani-Ole grounds in South Pemba. “After being sworn-in, my government will take off at a terrific speed.

Those who may be lucky to be appointed in my new government should start preparations to whet the appetite of people’s expectations,” the CUF Secretary General said. Mr Hamad, also the current First Vice-President of the GNU, said the outgoing government served Zanzibaris unsatisfactorily and that more efforts are required for the incoming government to make public service key to governance. CUF has seven ministers out of the 16 ministries in the current GNU.

Mr Hamad told supporters and other listeners that he will need speed and commitment should he win the October polls to form a government. He said environmental conservation and promotion of tourism will be one of his major priorities in his government.

“I’m ready to serve you,” he declared as his supporters went wild. He commended members of the ‘KIDIKE’ conservation group for developing and protecting the Mjini-Ole village forest, which also attracts tourists because of its unique bats.

According to a recent survey carried out in Pemba, the island has a population of more than 36,559 attractive bats. The presidential candidate also appealed to people to stop cutting down trees to conserve the environment.

He also pledged that if elected, he will ensure that there are enough farm inputs and skilled field agricultural extension officers. People engaged in entrepreneurship and farming complained to the candidate about the shortage of water as an impediment to vegetable and fruit farming