PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday cautioned business people against tax avoidance while hiding on the wish to ensure a fair and friendly tax collection environment.

Addressing clerics and a wide range of notables at an Eid el-Fitr national prayer in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the president used the platform to castigate business people who mistake the dissolution of the taskforce in revenue collection to avoid tax payments.

Paying tax is a legal requirement which is recognised in holy books as among dutiful observances of any individual as taxes play a crucial part in social harmony and economic wellbeing.

“It is sad to see that there are business people who avoid paying tax or issuing receipts,’ she said, asserting that it is the duty of every citizen to pay tax in accordance with the country’s laws.

Since the tax collection framework was reworked starting 06 April, 2021 revenues have increased from 18trn/- for 2021 to 24trn/- last year, she said, objecting to tax evasion as a major impediment to socio-economic development.

He praised business people and traders issuing receipts after sales and customers who demand receipts, insisting that with our current population and the need to improve social services, more taxes need to be collected and tax evasion ended.

In an Instagram post earlier, the president urged Tanzanians to maintain peace, unity and solidarity, as vital attributes in promoting social and economic development.

Peace and unity are the basis of everything that is useful, demanding that we value and serve others with devotion and even handedness, she stated, while

Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi used the same occasion to demand that security bodies ensure safety outdoors, in gatherings or in the streets, so that people celebrate the festival days peacefully.

He asked clerics to maintain vigil in prayer for the country and its leaders, which helps the government to overcome various development challenges.

Directing his gaze at government activity, he asked the Zanzibar Electricity Corporation (ZECO), the Zanzibar Water Authority (ZAWA) and the Ministry of Works to work closely with contractors implementing road projects. This will stop damage to infrastructure during project implementation, he said.

Sheikh Ponda Issa Ponda, head of the influential Council of Imams, urged that leadership positions should be given to dignified people showing compassion to people “instead of those who have no sense of dignity towards others.”

Reading the council statement on the festival in Dar es Salaam yesterday, he touched on the demand for a new constitution, especially due to what happened in previous elections, to avoid this repeating itself in coming elections.

Mwanza regional sheikh Hassan Kabeke told a vast gathering at Nyamagana grounds that Muslims need to promote peace during elections. They should collect forms to seek various leadership positions as a constitutional right.

It is the best time for Mwanza residents to unite and put their religious affiliations aside, he said, expressing grave worries on drug addiction; especially for the chewing drug khat that is credited with ruining the lives of scores of young people.