Nape for rescue training in school programmes
Tanzanian gather at Igoma Cemetery to commemorate 20 years since MV Bukoba sank in Lake Victoria in 1996. The ferry capsized on May 21 just 30 minutes before reaching Mwanza Port from Bukoka and the accidents is believed to have claimed at least 600 people. PHOTO I MICHAEL JAMSON
What you need to know:
MV Bukoba, which used to plying between Bukoba and Mwanza, sank in Lake Victoria on May 21, 1996, killing at least 600 passengers
Mwanza. Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Nape Nauye said yesterday that there was a need for the government to include rescue training in school curriculum as one of the measures to curb accidents in the country.
Mr Nnauye made the remarks during the commemoration of 20 years since MV Bukoba accident occurred on Lake Victoria. He, along with other governmental officials and religious leaders, participated in a prayer service that took place at Igoma Cemetery, where the victims were buried.
“ It is time we start providing rescue training in our schools. This must be included in our education curriculum for there have been road, water and air accidents and we need to take precautions by offering training,” he said.
Other officials, who attended the prayer service were the minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Mr January Makamba, Nyamagana MP Stanslaus Mabula, Mwanza regional chairman Antony Dialo (CCM) and Tanzanian super model Flaviana Matata, who lost her mother and a cousin in the accident.
The prayers were led by Evalengical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) bishop Obadia Ruralile and chairman for Mwanza Peace Committee Sheikh Hassan Kabeke.
Mr Nnauye noted that most of the accidents that occurred in the country had been caused by human errors and negligence. There have been contradicting reports on the actual number of people, who perished in the accident.
Mr Nnauye said: “It is true that to date the number of victims, who perished in the MV Bukoba tragedy is still unknown. This is a clear indication that the Marine Service Company Ltd (MSCL) had no clear number of people, who were aboard the ill-fated ship,” he said.
While, the MSCL management says that over 400 people perished, a team of government professionals specialised in marine services indicate that over 600 people perished and other reports have it that over 1,000 people perished.
