Vodacom donates Sh10 million for assistance to families of relatives killed in the ferry disaster

Dar es Salaam.  Vodacom Tanzania has donated Sh10 million as condolences following the Thursday ferry disaster in Ukara Island.

The money was received on Saturday, September 22, by Works, Transport and Communication minister Isaac Kamwele on behalf of the government during a televised event.

“I would like to thank Vodacom Tanzania for the donation, I also encourage others to make donations towards providing support to families of those who lost their beloved ones,” he said.

Furthermore, Mr Kamwele handed over the funds to the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office responsible for Policy, Parliamentary Affairs, Labour, Employment, Youth and the Disabled, Ms Jenista Mhagama.

For her part, Ms Mhagama said: “I have instructed Mwanza regional authorities to open a special bank account and all donated monies should be deposited there.”

She added “The regional office will soon disseminate details of the proposed bank account so that people can start donating funds.”

Furthermore, at same occasion, Mwanza Regional Commissioner John Mongella thanked Vodacom Tanzania for the donation, assuring that his office would supervise and make sure that the donated money is used to facilitate burial arrangements of the victims as intended.

Vodacom Tanzania becomes the first private firm to donate funds towards assisting families overcome their grief related to the capsizing of MV Nyerere.

By press time, over 150 people had been confirmed dead, while 41 were rescued alive.