As the water rises in Lake Vitoria due to heavy rains, transporters of passengers and goods have been warned to be very careful lest their vessels capsize.
The Lake Victoria Basin Commission has asked operators on Lake Victoria to comply with regional regulations and standards on navigation.
“We need to emphasise the security of navigation on Lake Victoria in the face of rising water levels of the lake and associated marine risks,” Dr Ally Said Matano, Lake Victoria Basin Commission chief executive said.
Matano commended operators of water bus MV Ringiti who required everyone to wear life jackets. The bus capsized on Saturday between Mageta Island and Usenge Beach in Siaya county. All 20 passengers were rescued.
“Compliance with regulations takes recognizance of the fact that Lake Victoria is among the roughest equatorial lakes because of erratic weather and storms," Matano said.
In 2007, LVBC coordinated EAC Partner States and other partners to enact the Lake Victoria Transport Act and in 2010 regulations to ensure safety and security of navigation.
The Lake Victoria Basin Commission and the EAC Partners states installed 86 communication aids on Lake Victoria.
The Lake Victoria Basin Commission coordinates a Multi-National lake communication and transport programme with Maritime Rescue Communication Centers and Emergency Search and Rescue Stations in riparian countries of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
“Such programmatic interventions aim to reduce marine accidents in EAC partner states," Matano said.
On September 20, 2018, more than 228 people died when the MV Nyerere (Tanzania) capsized on Lake Victoria.
In November 2018, a cruise boat carrying 100 people capsized in Uganda killing 29 people.
Fallure to comply with regulations caused the two tragedies, Matano said.
(Edited by V. Graham)
