Mwinyi pushes for CSR drive in investment projects

IN ensuring citizen benefits directly from investment projects in the country, Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi has re-emphasised the need for local and foreign investors to consider Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) among their priority activities.

Dr Mwinyi said that the government aims to promote CSR in Zanzibar by encouraging investors to implement projects, which impact on the community by providing or improving social needs and services such as water, health and roads infrastructure.

He said this when he met elders from Bweleo village in Unguja West B District, where land dispute emerged between villagers and investors.

The dispute has been resolved as Dr Mwinyi emphasised that CSR are aimed at increasing the contribution of investors towards community development projects and aligning with the objectives of Zanzibar National Vision 2050.

Dr Mwinyi said that in addition to what the government has been doing to its people, support from investors remains important so that all areas of the archipelago address challenges in accessing water, healthcare, and roads becoming passable.

“When the government enters into an agreement with investors, the message from the government side has always been emphasis on CSR because many areas need better shopping markets, water, and schools,” he said.

The president appealed to the elders of Bweleo to communicate with investors to discuss challenges so that they are resolved amicably, because both ‘wananchi’ and investors play a big role in development.

In a related development, Dr Mwinyi instructed the Ministry of State – President’s Office (Labour, Economy and Investment) and the Zanzibar Investments Promotion Authority (ZIPA) to meet with the elders to resolve their grievances.

However, the president assured the Bweleo residents and elders that the planned construction of the sports grounds will be implemented along with having similar projects in all districts in Unguja and Pemba.

In response, the elders commended Dr Mwinyi for his efforts in developing Zanzibar and improving lives of its people including bringing projects at Bweleo village, where young people will get employment.