US Ambassador to Tanzania Alfonso Lenhardt has underscored his country’s support for Zanzibar government's programmes in health, education, culture and security sectors. The envoy made the pledge after a tour of Zanzibar from January 30 through 31, this year, during which he held meetings with Zanzibar Mufti Sheikh Saleh Omar Kabhi and former chairman of the Committee of Six and lawmaker Mz

ee Ali Mzee. A statement availed to this paper from the embassy on Thursday said the envoy’s trip culminated in a meeting with President Ali Mohamed Shein. The envoy was accompanied on his tour by USAID Mission Director Robert Cunnane, Millennium Challenge Corporation Country Director Karl Fickenscher, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Country Director Dr. Michelle Roland, and Zanzibar Affairs Officer Jefferson Smith. While in Zanzibar Lenhardt visited Bububu hospital, where a team of 17 American surgeons, ophthalmologists and medical technicians are providing eye services through a US military-sponsored Medical Readiness Education and Training Exercise (MEDRETE) programme, co-sponsored by the Tanzanian People's Defence Forces (TPDF) and the Zanzibar Ministry of Health. The statement said through MEDRETE, cataract surgeries for eligible Zanzibaris began on January 30 and would end on February 8. “Patients who were not candidates for cataract surgery were provided with corrective eye wear. As of February 2, over 2,356 patients have been screened, with 1,407 patients fitted with glasses and 78 of the 152 patients scheduled for cataract surgery have received the procedure,” it said. "These individuals will return to their homes and towns with the ability to see their families and friends for the first time in years! What a remarkable gift. I am proud to witness this collaboration,” it added. The ambassador also visited the American Corner located at the State University of Zanzibar, where he donated three computers and met over 45 students to underscore US support for education. The envoy also held a discussion session to answer the students' questions on US foreign policy on Tanzania and listen to their aspirations for Zanzibar's future. The statement said further that Ambassador Lenhardt visited the port of Malindi to donate two 9.5 metre-long patrol boats on behalf of the American people to the Tanzania Police Force. “The total cost of US support to strengthen Tanzania's maritime security is 1.78bn/-, and includes a total of seven boats (two in Dar es Salaam, two in Zanzibar, two in Mwanza and one in Tanga), training of personnel and furnishing of the Police Maritime Academy,” it said. It explained further that each boat features twin 200-horsepower Mercury engines (400 HP per boat), RayMarine radar, Raymarine VHF radio, sirens, seating for 12, and additional safety and emergency rescue features. The ambassador lauded Zanzibar's leadership for strengthening its maritime security to combat the threats of piracy against commercial interests and national security. Terming the boats "a gift from one democracy to another," the ambassador pledged that America would stand with Zanzibar in its endeavours to strengthen its security. For his part, Minister for Home Affairs Shamsi Nahodha thanked the ambassador for US cooperation with Zanzibar, especially on maritime security. In furthering Zanzibar's unique musical heritage, PAO Banks presented a 16m/- grant ($10,000 USD) to Sauti za Busara director Yusuf Mahmoud to support this year's festival, which will take place from February 8 through 12. "We are proud to continue our partnership with Sauti za Busara in the ninth year of the festival and applaud the efforts of Zanzibaris and their partners in making the 2012 festival a success," said Ms. Banks. The ambassador's visit to Zanzibar underscores the United States' commitment to further strengthen its ties of cooperation with the isles through assistance programmes in various sectors that positively impact the lives of Zanzibaris.