Writes Leo Odera Omolo

Reports emerging from Dar Es Salaam says the country’s plan to seek an extension of continental shelf outside its Exclusive Economic Zone {EEZ} has hit the rock following stiffest resistance and vehement opposition by the Zanzibar Parliament.

The same autonomous Zanzibar parliament is reported to be I the process of preparing a memorandum to petition the United Nations asking the world body to block the Tanzanian mainland government move.

It says that a section of highly influential MPs in he same autonomous Zanzibar’s House of Representatives have put up a strong argument saying that the Iles was not involved in the decision to extend the EEZ and the sharing of marine resources.

The MPs, according to a source were reported as being I the process of preparing a strong memorandum and plan to send a delegation the UN headquarters in New York to ask for the withdrawal of the application of the mainland government.

The planned extension, according to an expert, would give Tanzania the right to explore and exploit non-living and mineral resources on the seabed sub-soil at the extended continental shelf adjacent to the EEZ in accordance with the UN Convention on the law of the sea.

It is expected that the area will increase the potential for oil and gas exploitation as well as fishing activities.

A recent newspaper report quoted Tanzanian Minister for Lands, Housing and Settlement Prof. Anna Tabaijuka as saying that the decision to apply for the extension of the Extended Continental Shelf {ECS} which lies 150 miles beyond the current 200 was reached by the cabinet and the process involved both parts of the Union.

“The consideration of the submission made by the United Republic of Tanzania will be included in the provisional agenda of the 13th session of the Commission scheduled to be held in New York fro July 30 to August 10, 2012.”The union government is wrong to go to the UN without consulting the Zanzibar Revolutionary government.

“The move is also against our April 2009 resolution demanding that oil and natural gas as well as EEZ be removed fro the union matters,” said one legislator fro the radical Civic United Front {CUF}.

“Years back, the Zanzibar House of Representative had decided that marine and oil issues should be the preserve of Zanzibar of Zanzibar, therefore Tanzania mainland had no reason to undertake such sensitive matters on behalf of Zanzibar,” said Legislator Jussa.

Early last month, the United Republic of Tanzania submitted an application to the Commission

On the Limits of the Continental Shelf {CLCS} of the UN, in accordance with Article 76 paragraph 8 of UN Convention on the Law of the sea.

The neighboring Kenya has also applied for 103, an additional square kilometers and has already secured a maritime agreement with Tanzania, its neighbor in the south. The UN requires that countries that share the ocean must reach an agreement on the border issue.
The same autonomous Zanzibar parliament is reported to be I the process of preparing a memorandum to petition the United Nations asking the world body to block the Tanzanian mainland government move.

It says that a section of highly influential MPs in he same autonomous Zanzibar’s House of Representatives have put up a strong argument saying that the Iles was not involved in the decision to extend the EEZ and the sharing of marine resources.

The MPs, according to a source were reported as being I the process of preparing a strong memorandum and plan to send a delegation the UN headquarters in New York to ask for the withdrawal of the application of the mainland government.

The planned extension, according to an expert, would give Tanzania the right to explore and exploit non-living and mineral resources on the seabed sub-soil at the extended continental shelf adjacent to the EEZ in accordance with the UN Convention on the law of the sea.

It is expected that the area will increase the potential for oil and gas exploitation as well as fishing activities.

A recent newspaper report quoted Tanzanian Minister for Lands, Housing and Settlement Prof. Anna Tabaijuka as saying that the decision to apply for the extension of the Extended Continental Shelf {ECS} which lies 150 miles beyond the current 200 was reached by the cabinet and the process involved both parts of the Union.

“The consideration of the submission made by the United Republic of Tanzania will be included in the provisional agenda of the 13th session of the Commission scheduled to be held in New York fro July 30 to August 10, 2012.”The union government is wrong to go to the UN without consulting the Zanzibar Revolutionary government.

“The move is also against our April 2009 resolution demanding that oil and natural gas as well as EEZ be removed fro the union matters,” said one legislator fro the radical Civic United Front {CUF}.

“Years back, the Zanzibar House of Representative had decided that marine and oil issues should be the preserve of Zanzibar of Zanzibar, therefore Tanzania mainland had no reason to undertake such sensitive matters on behalf of Zanzibar,” said Legislator Jussa.

Early last month, the United Republic of Tanzania submitted an application to the Commission

On the Limits of the Continental Shelf {CLCS} of the UN, in accordance with Article 76 paragraph 8 of UN Convention on the Law of the sea.

The neighboring Kenya has also applied for 103, an additional square kilometers and has already secured a maritime agreement with Tanzania, its neighbor in the south. The UN requires that countries that share the ocean must reach an agreement on the border issue.