Govt commends Ukara residents for outstanding rescue job

Dar es Salaam. Mwanza Regional Commissioner John Mongella has commended Ukara Island residents for rescuing 40 people immediately after the accident.

Mr Mongella hailed the residents on Sunday, September 23, at Bwisya Secondary School Grounds in Ukara at the burial ceremony of victims of MV Nyerere accident.

Mr Mongella said when the Mwanza Regional Disaster Committee arrived at the scene, a few hours after receiving information about the accident, they found citizens had already rescued 40 people.

“The formal rescue team managed to rescue one person more than 40 hours after the accident. So most of the credit goes to Ukara Island residents,” he said.

Ukerewe Member of Parliament Joseph Mkundi request for improved marine transport in the District.

“The only consolation to the people remaining behind is bringing new and modern marine vessels that will guarantee safety to residents and avoid repeat of similar accidents,” he said.

Ukerewe District Council chairman George Nyamaha said the Surface and Marine Regulatory Authority (Sumatra) should be strengthened through improved human and financial resources.

For his part, the minister of State in the Zanzibar Second Vice-President's Office, Mr Mohamed Aboud Mohamed said the Zanzibar government received reports of the accident with sadness and shock, noting that the Revolutionary Government and the people of Zanzibar were collectively mourning with their Mainland counterparts.

Giving the CCM message, the party’s secretary of Ideology and Publicity Humphrey Polepole said the ruling party would ensure the government improve transport in Lake Victoria as soon as possible.

“CCM will continue supervising the government to ensure laws are enforced especially to ensure justice is realized for victims and survivors,” he said.