Nairobi: Secretary General Veronica Nduva has hailed the newly completed Regional Maritime Rescue Centre in Mwanza as a game-changer for safety and trade on Lake Victoria. Speaking during an inspection tour of the project at Ilemela in Mwanza, Tanzania, Nduva said the facility will help save lives and strengthen regional integration once it becomes fully operational.
According to Kenya News Agency, Nduva highlighted that Lake Victoria is a crucial link between Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, but it has recorded thousands of drowning cases annually. She emphasized that the centre is a significant investment in life-saving measures, enabling anyone in distress, including fishermen and traders, to call a toll-free emergency number, 110, to receive immediate assistance.
Nduva explained that the Regional Maritime Rescue Centre (RMCC) team will utilize radar and tracking systems to accurately locate distress calls and coordinate with the nearest rescue unit, whether in Tanzania, Kenya, or Uganda. The centre will also function as the main coordination hub, connecting sub-centres in Kisumu (Kenya) and Entebbe (Uganda), ensuring seamless rescue operations across borders.
She stated that the regional approach is essential because many accidents occur in open waters or near international boundaries, and the RMCC will ensure timely interventions to save lives. Beyond emergency response, Nduva stressed the economic and integration benefits the centre will bring, as safer waters will attract more traders, transport operators, and investors to utilize the lake, reducing road pressure, lowering transport costs, and boosting cross-border trade.
Nduva commended the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) for successfully delivering the project, which illustrates the strength of regional cooperation in addressing common challenges. LVBC Executive Secretary Dr. Masinde Bwire mentioned that the project cost USD 1.86 million, with an additional USD 500,000 invested in advanced communication technology.
He added that the Mwanza facility, a key component of the Multinational Lake Victoria Maritime Communications and Transport (MLVMCT) Project, will act as the central hub for coordinating maritime search and rescue operations across Lake Victoria, reducing fatalities and enhancing the lake's role as a safe and efficient corridor for trade and integration. LVBC, headquartered in Kisumu, will continue to seek partnerships with development partners and EAC partner states to ensure the initiative's success.