Some investors in the tourism sector here through their Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors (Zati) have blamed the government over to failure to provide solutions to problems water supply and electricity problems.

Zati chairman Abdul Samad sounded the blame at a dinner gala for members of the association held at the weekend in Zanzibar.

He said investors have been fulfilling their responsibilities under difficult environments due to lack of the two essential services in the tourism business.

Samad said tourist hotels built on the eastern zone of Zanzibar were facing water problems; as a result they spend a lot of money on alternative power and water supply to keep their businesses going.

He said members of the club queried the capability of the Zanzibar Electricity Corporation and Zanzibar Water Authority due to their failure to solve the problems, despite the fact that the sector contributes greatly to the national income.

“We have been conducting joint meetings with the authorities, but they have failed to show the commitment to resolve the problems,” said Samad, adding:

“We cannot promote and strengthen the tourism sector and attain our goals without having reliable power and water first”.

Meanwhile, Samad urged the Zanzibar government to beef up security for foreigners and investors in the sector.

He said crimes in the tourism sector had been increasing in Zanzibar, causing massive losses. According to him, about 60 per cent of Zati members were affected by different forms of crimes, including armed robbery, last year.

Samad reminded that the tourism sector was crucial in creating jobs. He said currently the sector employs 12,000 people, while 44,000 benefited direct from it through fishing, farming and livestock keeping.

He said the tourism sector contributes 73 per cent of foreign currency and 25 per cent to the national income annually.

Samad also said that the sector was also facing the challenge of environmental pollution, especially along the Indian Ocean coast at Stone Town area.