Minister of State in the President`s Office, Dr Mwinyihaji Makame Mwadini

Zanzibar has announced that in the 2012/13 financial year plans to revive its jetty at the cost of euros 9.2 million. The jetty was constructed in 1970.

This was said by the Minister of State in the President's Office, Dr Mwinyihaji Makame Mwadini, while responding to a question filed by Mohammed Said Mohammed (Mpendae, CCM) during the on going House of Representatives session at Chukwani in Zanzibar on Monday.

The Minister said that negotiations have been done with Dutch contractor Damen Shipyard, who has in turn sent in the quotation.

Apart from the plan, he said, efforts are being made to conduct thorough analysis before implementing the project which upon completion would ensure that ships undergo maintenance in the Isles.

Earlier, in the principal question Kwahani lawmaker had wanted to know if the government has plans to have boats of the special anti-corruption squad (KMKM) repaired at the same jetty.

Meanwhile, the Zanzibar government has dished out a total of 750 loans to the islanders through its programme of empowering small entrepreneurs. The programme was inaugurated by Union President Jakaya Kikwete.

Labour, Empowerment and Cooperatives minister Haroun Ali Suleiman responding to a question said the loans were provided to private persons and directly to entrepreneurs.

He said since at least 1.5bn/- has been dished out, adding that the purpose has been to foster economic growth and reduce poverty.

Minister Haroun said in Mjini Magharibi Region alone, 276 women entrepreneurs received the loans, and that they cut across the entire section of society.

However, he said out of the total money dished out, only 765.5m/- has been repaid.

Mwanahidi Kassim (Special Seats) had wanted to know the number of Zanzibaris who have benefited from the loans.