DODOMA: THE government has confirmed that it has no immediate plans to suspend fishing activities on Lake Victoria, clarifying that any decision regarding the lake’s closure would involve all relevant stakeholders to ensure a collective approach.
Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Alexander Mnyeti, addressed this concern in the National Assembly, responding to a question from Ukerewe MP Joseph Mkundi, who sought clarity on the rumours circulating about the potential “closure” of the lake.
“Currently, there is uncertainty around Lake Victoria, especially in the Ukerewe islands, with concerns that the lake might be closed.
Can the government provide its stance to dispel this uncertainty, particularly for the residents of Ukerewe?” asked MP Mkundi.
In response, the Deputy Minister stated that the government has no current plans to close the lake but assured that if the need arises, the decision will be made collectively, following proper procedures from the grassroots level.
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He attributed the rumours to propaganda, which he said was causing unnecessary panic within the local communities.
On a separate matter, the government also provided an update on the purchase of eight fishing vessels, as outlined in the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) 2020-2025 Election Manifesto.
The Deputy Minister revealed that the process is ongoing, with four boats being procured by the Tanzania Fisheries Corporation (TAFICO) and four by the Zanzibar Fisheries Corporation.
For the vessels managed by TAFICO, the government has initiated the acquisition of two long-line fishing vessels under the Agriculture and Fisheries Development Programme (AFDP), financed through a concessional loan from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
The boats, with a length of 39.9 metres, are currently undergoing various stages of procurement, including an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) in deep-sea areas.
Deputy Minister Mnyeti added that both pre-feasibility and full feasibility studies for the fishing vessels have been completed, with preparations underway to announce the tender for their purchase.
The vessels are expected to benefit both Tanzania and Zanzibar, contributing to the growth of the fishing sector in line with the goals of the CCM manifesto.
He was responding to a question from Wingwi MP Omar Issa Kombo, who inquired about the timeline for acquiring the vessels promised in the CCM’s 2020-2025 election manifesto.
