Isles opts to go it alone in oil
ISSA YUSSUF in Zanzibar, 4th April 2009 @ 02:24
Zanzibar yesterday said it wants to be free on matters concerning oil and natural gas exploration and exploitation, arguing that the current Union structure denied the islands an opportunity to benefit fully from its natural resource wealth. We need to have full authority over territorial waters and inland areas since land is not among the Union matters. We should also have equal partnership over the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEC), the Zanzibar Minister of Water, Construction, Energy, and Land, Mr Mansour Yussuf Himid, said when presenting government proposal on Oil and natural gas exploration in the Zanzibar House of representatives.
He said in his presentation that took 70 minutes that although the Petroleum (exploration and production) Act of 1980 also applies in Zanzibar, the isles has not been benefiting from any revenues from the production of natural gas on Tanzania Mainland and ongoing oil exploration.
Mr Mansour told the hushed House that the Zanzibar governments proposals, which include Zanzibars independence in natural resources, are based on the "fact that Zanzibar has always been the loser as even the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) structure only appears to serve the mainland.
The minister asked representatives to deliberate and support the proposals to clear the controversy that emerged after reports that there is a possibility of having oil reserves on Zanzibar territory. He argued that it is high time Zanzibar went it lone on matters concerning oil and natural resources, citing "prolonged period of violation of both Zanzibar and Union constitutions that has persisted despite frequent complaints from Zanzibar authorities. Mr Himid called for the unity of all Zanzibaris in the matter to protect the isles interests and the speeding up of oil and natural gas exploration for the development of Zanzibar. He emphasized that no company would be allowed to search for oil in the isles territory without the permission of the Zanzibar government.
He further argued that it is possible to remain in the Union despite the independent control over natural resources, citing examples of India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where each state has full control over its natural resources. But on the other side, such unfair deals and unequal distribution of natural resources have created problems in some countries such as DRC, Sudan, and Algeria. We pray that our natural resources should not be the source of conflict between the two Union partner states, Mr Mansour told the House.
After the presentation, the Speaker, Mr Pandu Ameir Kificho, advised members of the House to discuss the governments statement carefully and minimise emotion in the best interests of the Union. Oil and natural resources are currently among the top items on the agenda in the meetings between senior Zanzibar and Union government officials, with the isles pressing for independence on matters concerning its natural resources
ISSA YUSSUF in Zanzibar, 4th April 2009 @ 02:24
Zanzibar yesterday said it wants to be free on matters concerning oil and natural gas exploration and exploitation, arguing that the current Union structure denied the islands an opportunity to benefit fully from its natural resource wealth. We need to have full authority over territorial waters and inland areas since land is not among the Union matters. We should also have equal partnership over the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEC), the Zanzibar Minister of Water, Construction, Energy, and Land, Mr Mansour Yussuf Himid, said when presenting government proposal on Oil and natural gas exploration in the Zanzibar House of representatives.
He said in his presentation that took 70 minutes that although the Petroleum (exploration and production) Act of 1980 also applies in Zanzibar, the isles has not been benefiting from any revenues from the production of natural gas on Tanzania Mainland and ongoing oil exploration.
Mr Mansour told the hushed House that the Zanzibar governments proposals, which include Zanzibars independence in natural resources, are based on the "fact that Zanzibar has always been the loser as even the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) structure only appears to serve the mainland.
The minister asked representatives to deliberate and support the proposals to clear the controversy that emerged after reports that there is a possibility of having oil reserves on Zanzibar territory. He argued that it is high time Zanzibar went it lone on matters concerning oil and natural resources, citing "prolonged period of violation of both Zanzibar and Union constitutions that has persisted despite frequent complaints from Zanzibar authorities. Mr Himid called for the unity of all Zanzibaris in the matter to protect the isles interests and the speeding up of oil and natural gas exploration for the development of Zanzibar. He emphasized that no company would be allowed to search for oil in the isles territory without the permission of the Zanzibar government.
He further argued that it is possible to remain in the Union despite the independent control over natural resources, citing examples of India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where each state has full control over its natural resources. But on the other side, such unfair deals and unequal distribution of natural resources have created problems in some countries such as DRC, Sudan, and Algeria. We pray that our natural resources should not be the source of conflict between the two Union partner states, Mr Mansour told the House.
After the presentation, the Speaker, Mr Pandu Ameir Kificho, advised members of the House to discuss the governments statement carefully and minimise emotion in the best interests of the Union. Oil and natural resources are currently among the top items on the agenda in the meetings between senior Zanzibar and Union government officials, with the isles pressing for independence on matters concerning its natural resources