BY GRACE MACHA IN ARUSHA
Construction of a regional maritime rescue centre in Lake Victoria at Mwanza is nearing take off.
The facility will enhance security and safety of navigation in the shared lake which is prone to maritime accidents.
The Regional Maritime Rescue Communication Centre (MRCC), whose implementation was signed in April, will cost $ 2.5 million.
The project will be coordinated by Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), an institution of the East African Community (EAC).
The EAC secretariat said the site for execution of the project has already been handed over to the contractor.
The proposed facility in Mwanza will serve as a coordination centre of maritime rescue operations.
"This will reduce accidents of vessels and boats plying on the lake", said a report recently tabled before the EAC ministerial session.
Reduction of accidents will, in turn, promote trade between the three riparian states; Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.
The rescue centre project is being implemented under the broader Multinational Lake Victoria Maritime Communications and Transport (MLVMCT).
A Memorandum of Understanding MoU) to the effect was signed by Tanzania, Uganda and LVBC on April 19th, this year.
Joint execution of the project by CK Associates and Oubuntu Consulting Limited commenced on May 12th and will be completed in 18 months.
Lake Victoria, the largest in Africa and second largest freshwater body in the world, witnessed a number of deadly maritime disasters.
On July 30th this year, 14 worshippers - mostly children -died in Bunda district,Mara region when a boat they were travelling in capsized due to strong winds.
A day later, about 20 fishermen perished on the Uganda side. Both accidents were attributed to overloading and bad weather.
It is estimated that close to 5,000 lives are lost each year in the vast lake covering 69,000 square kilometres.
Notable among the worst accidents in Tanzania are the capsizing of MV Bukoba in May 1996 and MV Nyerere vessels in September 2018 which claimed nearly 1,000 and 130 lives respectively.
LVBC executive secretary Dr. Masinde Bwire said several mini rescue centres will be constructed in various spots on the lake's shoreline.
Also earmarked is putting in place a state-of-art communication tower to facilitate rescue operations.
Rescue operations are to be undertaken jointly by the three riparian states through electronic distress signals.
According to Dr. Bwire,plans were underway to buy new speed boats fitted with medical aids for rescue purposes.
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