Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi has urged Union institutions in Tanzania to strengthen cooperation, utilise available opportunities, and jointly participate in activities to enhance efficiency and deliver greater benefits to Tanzanians. He made the call in Zanzibar while opening a working session for heads of Union institutions aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two sides of the Union. The session brought together 39 heads of Union institutions from both sides.
Mr Ndejembi emphasised the importance of understanding the concept, principles, and implementation of the Union to enable heads of Union institutions and government officials to discharge their responsibilities effectively. He said a clear understanding of the meaning and responsibilities of Union institutions was essential in addressing challenges that could arise in the execution of their duties and ensuring effective service delivery to citizens on both sides.
The Vice-President stressed that knowledge of Union affairs should be firmly embedded within government institutions and should not be regarded as an issue for young people alone. He urged leaders and government officials at all levels, including heads of institutions and directors of departments, to enhance their understanding of Union matters. This, he said, would help address challenges that may arise in the course of implementing their duties.
Mr Ndejembi likened the Union to the construction of “one house”, saying institutions on both sides should work together rather than compete for space. He added that citizens were primarily interested in quality services and better lives, including access to economic opportunities, education, and healthcare. The effectiveness of government institutions, he said, should ultimately be measured by the benefits they deliver to citizens.
The Vice-President called on participants to use the session to exchange views and experiences, identify common challenges, and explore practical ways of addressing problems affecting citizens. He said institutions responsible for Union matters should recognise that their mandate extends to both sides of the Union and should not be implemented with a focus on only one side.
Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office responsible for Union Affairs and Environment, Eng Hamad Yusuf Masauni, said education on Union matters was important for government leaders and officials because it would strengthen their understanding and improve efficiency. He noted that limited understanding of the Union was not confined to young people, but also existed among some government leaders, ministers, and heads of institutions.
The session is part of the implementation of the Public Education Programme on Union Affairs, which aims to increase public understanding of the Union through public education programmes targeting different groups of citizens. Mr Masauni also stressed the importance of establishing permanent offices for Union institutions in Zanzibar to facilitate their responsibilities and improve service delivery.
Key points
- VP Ndejembi urges Union institutions to strengthen cooperation and understanding of the Union concept.
