EAC holds prayer meeting for victims of MV Nyerere ferry tragedy
East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 25th September, 2018: The East African Community today held prayers for the more than 200 passengers who perished in the MV Nyerere ferry accident on Lake Victoria on 20th September, 2018.
The prayer meeting that was held at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania brought together the Heads and Staff of all EAC Organs based in Arusha, namely the EAC Secretariat, East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and the East African Court of Justice (EACJ).
In attendance at the prayers were EAC Secretary General, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, EALA Speaker Hon. Ngoga Martin and the Judge President of the EACJ, Justice Emmanuel Ugirashebuja.
The prayers were led by EACJ Administrator, Mr. Haji Omar (Muslim) and Pastor David Philip Kimaro of the Calvary Temple, Arusha (Christian).
In his remarks, Amb, Mfumukeko condoled with the President, Government and people of the United Republic of Tanzania in the wake of the unfortunate event.
Amb. Mfumukeko further disclosed that the EAC through the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) will continue contributing towards making transport on the lake safer and securer.
“The LVBC has set in motion plans for the construction of Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres that will be supported by 22 Search and Rescue (SAR) Units spread along the shoreline and equipped with telecommunications equipment as well as speed boats and medical facility rescue boats. This project will be implemented over a period of four years starting this year,” said the SG.
“There will be a Regional Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania and sub-centres in Entebbe, Uganda and Kisumu, Kenya,” he added.
Speaking at the ceremony, EACJ Judge President Justice Ugirashebuja condoled the families of the deceased, the government and people of Tanzania further describing the tragedy as being of unimaginable dimensions.
Justice Ugirashebuja paid tribute to the rescuers and all other actors who did their best to save lives and prevent further losses.
In his remarks, EALA Speaker Hon. Ngoga Martin, disclosed that the Assembly would hold a special debate on the ferry incident when it resumes its sittings today afternoon.
Hon. Martin mourned the tragic loss of valuable workforce in the tragedy, adding that it was notable that the leadership had already set up a taskforce to investigate the causes of the tragedy in addition to recommending measures that would prevent a recurrence in future.
“I pray for the affected families to gather the strength and courage to cope with the loss,” said the Speaker.
-ENDS-
For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno
Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 784 835021
Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001:2008 Certified