Lake Victoria Basin Commission management led by Executive Secretary Dr Masinde Bwire paid a courtesy call to the Mara Region Regional Commissioner Hon Hassan Mtanda to officially pass a message of condolence following the untimely demise of fourteen people in the recent marine tragedy.
The deceased, among them primary school pupils, died after their canoe capsized in Lake Victoria, Bunda district in Mara region on 30th July 2023.
Fourteen other passengers were rescued alive during the tragedy.
Dr Bwire passed a message to the bereaved families and to the United Republic of Tanzania.
He said, “As a commission we received the sad news of the sudden demise of our brothers and sisters whose two canoes capsized with great shock. And that is why we have decided to come and show solidarity with our people”.
Dr Bwire said the commission had put in place several initiatives to improve on safety of navigation on Lake Victoria
Already forty-six aids to navigation equipment have been installed in Mwanza South and north ports.
Mwanza Mwaloni’s jetty, Kiongoni ferry jetty, Sentry rock and Nansio port have also benefited from the installation of the new equipment.
Dr Bwire added that currently, the Commission is coordinating the Multinational Lake Victoria Maritime Communications and Transport (MLVMCT) project aimed at improving maritime safety and security in the Lake.
This also includes SAR services in the event of marine accidents occurring in the waters of Lake Victoria.
Upon completion in December 2024, the MLVMCT project will provide Lake Victoria with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers (MRCCs) supported by SAR centers spread along the shoreline and equipped with fast rescue boats and medical facility boats.
Other measures that are being undertaken by the Partner States, EAC Secretariat, and LVBC Secretariat aimed at improving SAR services on Lake Victoria include, effective implementation of the Lake Victoria Transport Act 2007.
On his part, Mara Regional Commissioner Hon. Hassan Mtanda thanked the Commission for their input in promoting maritime safety within the region.
Mtanda said, “As a government we appreciate your kind support and gesture during this moment and also thank you for the initiatives you have put in place in terms of maritime safety”.
The commission donated forty (40) SOLAS approved lifejackets which will be distributed to several beach management units along Lake Victoria in Mara region by the regional commissioner.
Mtanda said, “We thank the Commission for these donations of the life jackets which will be distributed by my team in the affected areas”.
Regional Administrative secretary of the Mara Region, Mr. Msalika Makungu was also present at the event.
The LVBC team also paid a courtesy call to Bunda District administrative secretary Mr Salum Mtelela before proceeding to Igundu village in the outskirts of Bunda town where they met the bereaved families and community members.
Fourteen bereaved families received donations of assorted foodstuffs.
LVBC’S Head of Maritime Safety Mr Amos Ndoto and officer in charge from Tanzania Shipping Agencies Co-operation (TASAC) Eng. Hezron Lusangija guided the community on how to use the life jackets and its importance.