Why AICC does not acquire investments potentials in Zanzibar

A Member of Parliament for Gando constituency on CUF ticket Othman Haji has questioned the government failure of the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) to invest its activities in Zanzibar since its establishment. The legislator earlier told the parliament during question and answer session that, Zanzibar has the right to be given the government dividend attained from the activities invested by AICC in mainland, and why the centre has failed to invest in Zanzibar. Responding to the question, the deputy minister for Finance and Planning Dr. Ashatu Kijaji said that, since the establishment of the centre in 1978, the has made tremendous development and has contributed a lot to the growth of national economy. Giving the example in three years time from 2014 to 2017, the centre has contributed Tshs. 6.05 billion, and the centre has also contributed Tshs. 586 million to the national budget during the trading periods under review. The minister farther noted that, the centre has managed to provide rooms for the tribunal cases facing culprits of Rwanda genocide (ICTR), has also attracted international summits and tourists. Expounding more the activities of the centre, the deputy minister noted that, the centre has provided employment to 132 Tanzanians and built three residential buildings in Arusha city. However, the minister further noted that, it is not true that the centre does not benefit Zanzibar as the registrar of the treasury has assured that, the centre gives a section of its income to Zanzibar government.  He informed the House that the parliament has put in place a give year strategic plan (2017-2022) for AICC to construct other centres for investments in Dodoma city as well as in Zanzibar.