Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) Executive Secretary Dr. Masinde Bwire has sent a message of condolence to the bereaved families of the boat tragedy in Lake Victoria.
Fourteen people, among them primary school pupils, died after their boats capsized in Bunda District, Mara Region, in the United Republic of Tanzania.
Fourteen other passengers were, however, rescued alive following frantic efforts by different rescue teams in the area.
The Executive Secretary said the commission condoles with the people and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania following the tragic accident.
‘Our thoughts and prayers go out to the bereaved family members in this time of deep sorrow, and we wish quick recovery to those who sustained injuries in the accident. We further wish to thank the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for the swift and dedicated action it took after the accident, which saved many lives that would have otherwise been lost,’ he said.
LVBC, which is an East Africa Community (EAC) agency mandated to coordinate sustainable development and management of the Lake Victoria basin, is committed to continuing to contribute towards making Lake Victoria Search and Rescue (SAR) services effective and timely through pragmatics.
He said currently, the Commission headquartered in Kisumu is coordinating the Multinational Lake Victoria Maritime Communications and Transport (MLVMCT) project aimed at improving safety and security in the Lake, including SAR services in the event of marine accidents occurring in the waters of Lake Victoria.
Upon completion in December 2024, the MLVMCT project, he added, will provide Lake Victoria with Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs), supported by SAR centres spread along the shoreline and equipped with fast rescue and medical ambulance boats.
He further requested that MLVMCT project’s implementing Partner states, of Republic of Uganda, Republic of Kenya, and United Republic of Tanzania, continue supporting LVBC in the coordination of the project at the regional level.
LVBC, the EAC secretariat and partner states, he said, were keen on bolstering SAR services on Lake Victoria to reduce accidents and avert loss of life.
The agencies, he added, will push for effective implementation of the Lake Victoria Transport Act 2007, among other interventions to keep the lake safe.
Source: Kenya News Agency