The government through the East African Community will construct a search and rescue centre in Lake Victoria which will be responsible for saving people during tragedy, the Deputy Minister for Transport, Dr Charles Tizeba, has said.
Deputy Minister for Transport, Dr Charles Tizeba
Dr Tizeba said when officiating during the World Maritime Day which for the first time is being celebrated in Mwanza city at national level.
The day for the past years has been marked in Dar es Salaam Region. He told Mwanza residents that the aim of constructing the search and rescue centre is to curb both accidents and promote dissemination of information to marine operators within the lake.
“The search and rescue centre will advocate safety and security especially when tragedy occurs and improve maritime environment in the lake,” he said.
For the improvement of marine vessels, Dr Tizeba said the government through Marine Services will construct three new vessels and rehabilitate six vessels at Lake Victoria, Tanganyika and Lake Nyasa for the aim of improving ports operations.
“The government has already set aside 2.1m/- euro for the constructions of MV Victoria, which is one of the old vessels operating in the lake since 1961,” he said, adding that the vessel will be constructed by Diak Export Limited, a United Kingdom company.
In another development, the Deputy Minister directed Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA) to educate on use of life gadgets, which he said should be done prior to commencement of the vessels’ trips daily.
“Let MSCL acquire some for accident prevention, most of you, are carrying out these awareness campaigns because senior government officials are using these vessels now, you have to do it daily for the safety of your passengers,” he insisted.
He also directed Sumatra to take stern measures against owners of haulage trucks that use both spot lights and fully beam their lights on our roads at night, causing unnecessary accidents.
By NASHON KENNEDY, Tanzania Daily News
