SOUTH Unguja Regional Commissioner Hamida Mussa Khamis has announced a major push by the regional security and defence committee to bolster security, particularly along the coast.

At a joint meeting of the regional and district security and defence committees, along with the Zanzibar port security committee and the Zanzibar Maritime Authority (ZMA) officials, she addressed the pervasive issue of unauthorized maritime activity.

 The initiative is aimed at ensuring that everyone adheres to regulations regarding entry and exit f exclusively through official ports, in the wake of a persistent trend where some residents use unofficial coastal areas for travel and the transportation of goods. 

This practice severely jeopardizes security and causes the government significant revenue loss by circumventing taxes and fees charged by revenue agencies, she said, while regional committee chairperson Hamida Mussa Khamis emphasized the mandatory responsibility of security agencies to stamp out these illicit activities. 

Robust strategies, including frequent marine patrols and comprehensive public education campaigns to inform citizens about the critical importance of following established procedures must be conducted, she stated.

"The government cannot turn a blind eye to the haphazard entry and exit taking place through unofficial channels. Such acts endanger security and deprive the government of vital revenues,’ she said, noting that the special strategy is meant to completely curb such loopholes.

Residents Unguja South Region need to actively cooperate with state organs by providing information whenever they detect the use of unauthorized entry and exit points, she said, noting that there are currently no official ports in the South Unguja Region designated for the transportation of passengers or cargo.

Ussi Mshimba Mbarouk, the Zanzibar Port Corporation head of security and Adam Ame Msaraka, ship inspector with ZMA, strongly advised residents to stick to recognized ports like Malindi port, while a new port is designated for the Kizimkazi area.

It will help reduce the use of illegal channels and improve maritime transportation services in this region, streamlining official travel and cargo services for the region, a crucial component of the government's strategy to fully control maritime borders and maximize revenue collection from the lucrative seafaring economy, she said.

The joint crackdown underscores the administration's commitment to prioritizing national security and economic integrity over informal convenience, the regional administrator added.