Lowassa advises on way forward after tragic tremor

Bukoba. Former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa on Friday visited quake survivors in Kagera Region and described the situation there as miserable.

He advised Kagera Regional Commissioner Maj Gen Salum Kijuu at the latter’s offices in Bukoba Municipality to develop a documentary that would help tell the real story and uncover the extent of devastation.

“I have seen the make-shift tents and plastic sheets that the survivors are using as shelter. There are people still sleeping out in the cold. More needs to be done,’’ he said, adding that the victims urgently need permanent shelter.

Maj Gen Kijuu noted that relief support was trickling in to the region but there was need for the general public to provide more assistance.

Mr Lowassa was accompanied by Arusha Urban MP Godbless Lema and Bukoba Urban lawmaker Wilfred Lwakatare. They donated 400 bags of cement to help in rehabilitation efforts. Regional authorities say the total number of people affected by the disaster is estimated at 126,000. At least 16,667 houses were either damaged or completely destroyed and 9,471 developed cracks.

In a related development, Muslim clerics in the region urged residents to remain calm and hopeful following the disaster that has left 19 people dead and hundreds injured. 

Lake Zone Sheikh Waseem Khan said that when such catastrophe hits, many people tend to regard themselves as forsaken by the Creator and give up as a result.

“Let us obey God’s wishes for he can restore things in a good order,” he said as he briefed reporters.

He said this as his Muslim community, Ahmadiya, handed over donations to the RC.