Zanzibar: Zanzibar President Dr Ali Mohamed Shein has said he will focus on stamping out tax evasion as one of the strategies to boost Zanzibar's economy in the next five years. He said this yesterday in a speech to inaugurate the House of Representatives.

Dr Shein, who was accompanied by his first and second vice presidents Seif Shariff Hamad and Seif Ali Idd, respectively, outlined areas that his government would focus on during his tenure as infrastructure, water, electricity, health, education, peace and security as well as improving Zanzibar's economy and the workers welfare.

On improving the economy Dr Shein, who spent about an hour and 40 minutes addressing the House of Representatives, said his government would seal all tax evasion loopholes. He argued that the exercise would enable the government to increase tax collection, hence foster the development of the people of Zanzibar.

"My government will make sure that we seal all tax evasion loopholes. This will enable us to collect enough tax that will allow us to invest in the development of wananchi without discrimination. We will also stick to rules that guide tax collection," Dr Shein said.

He stressed the importance of leadership ethics as the only way that would see Zanzibar prospering, while promising that he would not tolerate any government official who would go against rules and regulations that guide the public sector.

In order to oversee transparency and good governance, he pledged to establish a ministry of Public Service Management. He elaborated that the ministry would be responsible for coordinating and facilitating public servants' work as well as upgrading their level of education. He sad that would also foster positive changes in the public sector. "We don't need to blame the public servants for not delivering, but after we empower them and we still don't see any changes, then we would have to ask them about it," he said.

On infrastructure, Dr Shein said his government would immediately work on 30 per cent of unpaved roads while maintaining roads that were built by former President Amani Abeid Karume. The President also said his government would improve the Mkokotoni and Malindi ports to make sure they work effectively in bringing development to the people of Zanzibar.