On of the Zanzibar ferry disasters in 2011 & 12
BY MWINYI SADALLAH
6th January 2013
Email
Abdi Omar Maalim, speaking in his office, at Mlandege in Zanzibar, said the decision is aimed at ensuring safety of people travelling by sea.
He said the measures are in line with the implementation of Zanzibar Revolutionary Government resolution emerging from a probe report on recent marine accidents in the isles.
“We have banned one-engine boats for safety reasons to implement the probe committee recommendations following the sinking of two marine vessels in Zanzibar waters,” explained Maalim.
He said expert investigations had shown boats that float at depth of one metre from the sea level are unsafe whenever there is storm, thereby putting passengers’ lives at risk as well causing loss of cargo.
“Zanzibar waters at times are hit by strong winds that cause big waves that in turn destabilise vessels that are anchored at one metre depth from the coast line,” Maalim further stated.
However Azam’s Roll-On-Roll-Off, also Landing Craft, is allowed to continue with the passenger and cargo business because it is equipped with four engines and can float at a depth of two metres from the coast line.
The banned vessels include Mn Wete and Mv Buraq I which have single engines, meant to carry passengers swell as Mv Buraq II, Mv Buraq III and Mv Aziza, wth two engines, meant to carry passengers as well as cargo.
Speaking on behalf of the vessel owners Capt Said Salum told this paper that the revolutionary government discussed the matter with all the stakeholders before arriving at the decision.
He said the decision would have adverse financial impact for the vessel owners who he said taken loans to do business and that it would make many people, especially youth, losing jobs.
But he maintained that the revolutionary government should have consulted all the key players over the issue and assessed thoroughly the pros and cons before reaching the decision.
He added that the government should have first strengthened its inspection capacity instead of ‘jumping’ to the decision, which he said was causing unforeseen hardships.
A veteran boatman Capt Salum,said the decision was surprising, claiming that in spite of the move illegal sea passenger services were going on, while single-engine aeroplanes were offering similar services elsewhere.
Following the government decision at least 300 youth, including those working on the boats, could lose jobs, Capt Salum stated.
There are reports that similar vessels are allowed to operate on Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika. The 100-year-old Mv Liemba is being cited as an example.
Sea transport in the Isles has of late also proved inadequate following the suspension of MV Karama, MV Seagull Meli MV Sephde owing to technical reasons.
Boat fares for trips between Pemba and Unguja and the Isles and the Mainland are a real challenge.
Fare for journey between the Isles and Mainland has gone up to Sh30,000 or Sh35,000 forcing low income earners to resort to the traditional dhow means of transport.
SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY
No comments :
Post a Comment