CCM presidential candidate for Zanzibar, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, has said that the completion of major international projects in Unguja North Region will place the area on the same level of development as Zanzibar’s Urban Region.

At a Shangani Mkokotoni grounds rally in Unguja North District as part of his campaign trail, he said that the government will soon begin construction of an international port at Mangapwani, alongside the construction of an international airport at Nungwi in Kigunda area.

Once these investments are completed, the region will no longer lag behind urban areas in terms of development and economic opportunities, he said, noting that the projects are of international scale and will open up the region across all sectors, providing major entry and exit points for the islands.

The government will build all key roads in Unguja North, he said, mentioning Mkwajuni to Matemwe, Mkwajuni to Kijini and from Kinyasini to Kiwengwa roads, to ensure seamless connectivity between regions. This makes it easier and faster for people to travel and engage in business across the islands, he said.

The government has already directed investments in education and health with the construction of new schools, district hospitals and a regional referral hospital already underway at Mahonda, he said, citing a major project to provide safe and clean water across Unguja North Region will soon commence.

Support for fishermen and seaweed farmers including the provision of boats and setting up processing industries for fish and other marine products are being pursued, to create jobs for young people, he said.

Improving the welfare of public servants by raising salaries and allowances in line with economic growth was a vital area of concern, he said, urging the public not to underestimate the power of the vote.

“Every one of us must go out and cast a ballot so that together we can continue building a Zanzibar of unity, prosperity and development,” he emphasized, pledging to advance irrigated rice farming and livestock projects, to help citizens uplift their livelihoods.

The CCM candidate also underscored the importance of peace, unity, solidarity and reconciliation, emphasizing that without peace there can be no development in the country.

Dr Mohammed Said Mohammed ‘Dimwa, the party deputy secretary general for Zanzibar, said the president was a calm, humble and steadfast leader, among the few leaders who carry the wisdom of elders, “a thoughtful and composed figure who consistently makes the right decisions.”

Over the past five years the president has not wasted time responding to street-level political rhetoric but instead focused on laying solid foundations for the development of the people of Zanzibar, he said, pointing at education, health, road infrastructure and other sectors.

The president has achieved significant progress while some politicians engage in divisive rhetoric, as opposed to reinforced unity, solidarity and mutual respect among Zanzibaris and Tanzanians at large.

Dr Saada Mkuya Salum, a veteran cabinet minister, called on the people to ignore misleading statements from some politicians ‘who have run out of viable policies.”

The government has delivered major development projects for the people of Zanzibar, particularly through the construction of high-quality tarmac roads in both urban and rural areas, she added.