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Tanga — A TOTAL of 79 households, comprising 367 people and 995 livestock, have voluntarily relocated from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) to Msomera Village in Handeni District, Tanga Region.

They have also voluntarily relocated to some places like Karatu and Monduli among others at their own choices as part of ongoing relocation initiative.

Speaking to the relocating residents yesterday, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (responsible for natural resources), Commissioner of Police (CP) Benedict Wakulyamba explained that the relocation is part of efforts to protect the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

He noted that the move aims to improve the living conditions of residents and provide them with economic opportunities outside the conservation area.

ALSO READ: Follow procedure to relocate to Msomera, says govt

“The decision you made today demonstrates your understanding of the conservation challenges and shows your wisdom in moving to enhance your lives, while preserving the unique Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which is exceptional in Africa and the world,” CP Wakulyamba said.

He encouraged the relocated residents to act as ambassadors for the sixth phase government’s efforts in improving social services and economic opportunities in Msomera Village.

He also urged them to inform others still living in the conservation area to consider relocating.

CP Wakulyamba emphasised the importance of adhering to relocation procedures to avoid potential challenges and ensure that the residents become legal occupants of their new locations.

In a report on the voluntary relocation initiative, Chief Conservation Officer and Project Manager, Flora Assey noted that since the initiative began in June 2022 until August 2024, approximately 1,598 households, comprising 9,618 people and 39,779 livestock, have relocated from the conservation area to Msomera Village and other designated areas.

Senior Conservation Officer Engineer Daniel Chegere, representing the Commissioner for Conservation, highlighted that the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) continues to educate residents about the benefits of relocating to areas with modern infrastructure and essential social services, which offer safer living conditions compared to the conservation area.

Engineer Chegere also assured that the security situation in the conservation area remains stable, with enhanced protection measures in place, allowing tourists to continue their activities safely.

Source: allafrica.com

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President Samia Suluhu Hassan has urged stakeholders in the sports industry to fast-track constructions of stadiums countrywide ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) preparations.

In her speech during the laying of the foundation stone for the Suluhu Sports Academy in Unguja South, President Suluhu emphasised the importance of the new facility in enhancing Zanzibar’s sports infrastructure.

She highlighted that the Academy will feature a 20,000-seat stadium, which will complement the existing Amaan Complex.

The initial assessment by the CAF president had shown that only the Amaan Complex met the necessary standards for hosting CAF games in Zanzibar.

By constructing this new stadium, Tanzania will increase the number of venues capable of hosting such AFCON finals, alongside the already qualified Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam and the under construction Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium in Arusha.

The event, part of the ongoing 2024 Kizimkazi Festival, was attended by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, various dignitaries from both the Zanzibar and Union governments and sports club leaders.

“When I talked recently with the CAF president Patrice Motsepe about Dar es Salaam’s Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, he requested two additional stadiums for the tournament.

I have spoken with Prime Minister Majaliwa to see the acceleration of stadiums construction in Arusha and Dodoma,” she said.

The 2027 AFCON is scheduled to take place from June 19 to July 18, 2027, with Kenya and Uganda also serving as co-hosts with Tanzania.

After inspecting the ‘Suluhu Academy’ grounds and reviewing the designs provided by contractors, the President expressed satisfaction with the progress of the academy’s first phase, which includes a 20,000-seat stadium due for completion by April next year.

She emphasised that once completed; the academy will serve as a venue for regional and international tournaments.

“I urge the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and the Zanzibar Football Association (ZFA) to closely monitor the construction to ensure it meets global standards.”

President Samia also highlighted the significance of the project for the youth of South Unguja and Tanzania as a whole.

“A large portion of Tanzania’s population consists of young people who need infrastructure for their economic, health and cultural activities.

This is why the government is investing in youth-oriented projects.

We are pleased that the Kizimkazi Festival 2024 addresses the needs of the youth and this is part of our commitment,” she stated.

She also extended her gratitude to the project’s funders, led by CRDB Bank, calling the academy a legacy that will foster young talent, with sports providing both health and economic benefits.

The President announced that the construction of Suluhu Sports Academy, supported by various organisations, has seen contributions amounting to 2bn/- from the local communities of Kizimkazi and Unguja South.

ALSO READ: Kizimkazi festival programme sharpen skills of 500 youths

She also expressed appreciation for stakeholders who sponsor local teams and revealed that she has engaged with two potential sponsors for the major Tanzanian teams, Simba and Young Africans.

Although she did not disclose the sponsors, she promised to reveal their identities in the near future.

On his part Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa praised President Samia as a champion of social development and sports, noting that her efforts to promote sports and motivate teams like Simba and Yanga since taking office are exemplary.

Zanzibar’s Minister for Information, Youth, Arts, Culture and Sports, Tabia Maulid Mwita, also thanked President Samia for her vision in sports, announcing that Zanzibar is on track with preparations for the 2027 AFCON and CHAN finals.

Abdulmajid Nsekela, Chairman of the Suluhu Sports Academy project funding team and CEO of CRDB Bank, informed attendees that the state of-the-art complex in Kizimkazi will feature additional facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, basketball and netball courts, a shopping mall, an administration block, a leisure centre, a gym and a hotel.

The centre will be fully equipped to host international tournaments such as AFCON 2027

Source: allafrica.com

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WaterAid Tanzania’s project in Kisarawe District, Coast Region, has made significant strides in enhancing access to safe and dignified sanitation and hygiene services in local schools and healthcare facilities.

The project, titled “Effectiveness of Hygiene Behavior in Schools and Healthcare Facilities,” ran from 2021 to 2024 and was implemented across 45 institutions, including 30 schools and 15 healthcare facilities.

At a dissemination workshop held in Dar es Salaam yesterday, attended by Minister for Industry and Trade Selemani Jafo, Dr Happiness Willbroad, Head of Programmes at WaterAid Tanzania, shared an overview of the project’s impact.

Dr. Willbroad highlighted the positive changes experienced by thousands of students, teachers, and healthcare workers due to the initiative.

The project focused on enhancing WASH infrastructure and services by constructing latrines, handwashing stations, and water connections and storage facilities. It directly benefited 13,580 students, 240 teachers, and 60 healthcare facility staff.

Key achievements included the construction of rain harvesting systems with a 20,000-liter capacity, 72 improved sanitation facilities, and 19 new accessible latrines in schools and healthcare facilities.

Additionally, the project developed two comprehensive hygiene packages providing step-by-step guidance for conducting hygiene sessions and implementing behavior change campaigns in the 30 schools and 15 healthcare facilities involved.

In her opening remarks, WaterAid Tanzania Country Director Ms Anna Mzinga emphasised the transformative impact of the new infrastructure. However, she also stressed that infrastructure alone is not enough to create lasting change.

“The behavior change interventions were crucial in empowering communities and embedding lifelong hygiene practices,” Ms Mzinga noted.

Minister Jafo, who is also the MP for Kisarawe warned about the economic and health impacts of waterborne diseases. He commended WaterAid and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for their contributions.

“The challenge of waterborne diseases, particularly among children, has been significant. The WASH infrastructure and awareness campaigns are crucial steps towards addressing this issue,” he said.

He highlighted that the project has successfully supported Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, and SDG 6, which focuses on ensuring access to water and sanitation for all.

Minister Jafo urged Kisarawe District officials and experts to continue making positive changes in sanitation and personal hygiene, recommending budget allocations for infrastructure maintenance and collaboration with stakeholders.

“This can be achieved by maintaining our infrastructure and ensuring continued cooperation in the implementation of various projects,” he added.

Source: allafrica.com

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The construction of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) mother station has reached 33.5 per cent completion.

This project represents a significant advancement in Tanzania’s energy infrastructure, contributing to environmental sustainability, economic growth and energy security.

The facility, being built by the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) at Mlimani City in Dar es Salaam is valued at 14.55bn/- and is expected to be completed by December this year.

The TPDC Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ambassador Ombeni Sefue, made this announcement during a site visit by board members to assess the project’s progress.

“The construction of this facility represents a significant step forward in enhancing the availability and use of natural gas in Tanzania. This will help reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change effects,” Amb Sefue stated.

He emphasised that the project aligns with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s push for clean energy, highlighting the President’s global recognition for promoting natural gas as a cleaner alternative to other energy sources.

The mother station will feature four gas dispensers, with the capacity to accommodate eight vehicles simultaneously and three loading gantries for CNG tube trailers, which will distribute gas to smaller stations.

This central station will supply gas to various smaller stations across the country, particularly in areas lacking access to gas. The refuelling time for each container will range from 45 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the container’s size, which ranges from 10 to 40 feet.

CNG Project Manager from TPDC, Engineer Aristides Katto said that two additional stations will also be completed by December this year, one at Muhimbili area in Dar es Salaam and another in Zegereni in Kibaha, Coast Region.

The design and production of the necessary equipment are ongoing in China, with progress reaching 76 per cent.

The equipment production is expected to be completed by September. Mr Katto noted that TPDC’s team will travel to China at the end of September to inspect the equipment before it is shipped to Tanzania.

“We anticipate the equipment will arrive in mid-November and we expect construction to be completed by December,” Mr Katto said.

Additionally, TPDC will deploy six mobile stations, each capable of refuelling two vehicles at a time, in Dodoma City and Morogoro Municipality. Over 40 private companies have been authorised to establish CNG stations throughout the country.

The project, which commenced in May this year, also includes the construction of a garage for converting vehicles to operate on the gas system.

ALSO READ: Govt directs completion of CNG station construction

Experts say the CNG Mother Station is crucial for Tanzania because among other reasons, it will enhance energy security through diversification of energy sources. By developing a CNG infrastructure, Tanzania diversifies its energy sources beyond traditional fuels like diesel and petrol. This diversification helps stabilise energy supply and reduce dependency on imported fuels.

It also carries environmental benefits by reducing carbon emissions. CNG is a cleaner alternative to conventional fuels, emitting significantly lower levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other pollutants. This shift contributes to reducing the country’s carbon footprint and combating climate change.

The economic advantages include cost savings, whereby CNG is often cheaper than petrol or diesel. This cost-effectiveness can lower operational costs for businesses and transportation sectors, leading to broader economic benefits.

Source: allafrica.com

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By EMMANUEL ONYANGO

It is unusual to find locally produced soya milk in Tanzania. But some farmers here are enthusiastic about making their own by learning from the Chinese.

Since 2022, local farmers have been learning the technology to produce milk from soya beans. Agricultural experts from China Agricultural University (CAU) have been in the country since 2022 to share their knowledge with local farmers.

China, Brazil and the US are the world’s biggest producers of soya. So it might come as no surprise that they know a thing or two about soya milk.

In Tanzania, the technology has been demonstrated in four selected pilot villages – Peapea, Kitete, Makuyu and Mtego wa Simba – in a test project in the Morogoro region. Experts said last week that the demonstration was successful.

The drink has become increasingly popular with many farmers, who see it as cheaper to produce than other plant sources.

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As part of the project, the Chinese experts worked with the Morogoro regional authorities to distribute hybrid soya bean seeds to farmers in these villages, and provided on-the-ground advice on planting and management techniques to enable soya milk processing.

The programme, which also aims to reduce poverty, is led by CAU, the Morogoro regional government and Tanzania’s Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA).

The Morogoro region is one of the top five soya bean producing areas in Tanzania. However, the local soya bean industry remained bleak due to extensive local farming models and a lack of processing technology for soya bean products.

Prof Li Xiaoyun, the lead scientist, and his team say they have implemented an intercropping project called ‘Small Bean and Big Nutrition’. The first harvest is now underway and the yields will inform the next stage of expansion.

Prof Li’s main role is to train farmers in the village of Mtego wa Simba in Mikese Ward, about 30 kilometres on the outskirts of Morogoro Municipal Town.

Ms Xu Jin, one of the experts, explained that there are four main stages in the production of soya milk.

“The first is to soak seeds in a pail of water and leave it overnight,” she said.

“The second stage is to grind them in a hand-made machine. The third stage is filtration, and the final one is boiling the liquid, which tastes like cow’s milk.”

Omary Jayo, 72, a retired Tanzania National Electricity Supply Company (TANESCO) technician and now a farmer, says he bought into the idea after learning the Chinese scientist’s expertise.

He says he bought a grinding machine for $23.9 and slowly began to practice. He now sells each cup for $0.18.

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Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest and the world’s second-largest freshwater lake, shared by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, has become a hotspot for environmental crime, according to a new report from the Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies (ISS).

The 68,800 sq km lake that could easily pass for an inland sea, serves as a vital transport corridor, a source of fresh water, fish, and hydroelectric power, bolstering the economies of the three East African countries. Its basin also extends beyond these three East African countries, reaching as far as Rwanda and Burundi.

However, the report highlights Lake Victoria and its surrounding areas having become a hub for illicit markets, fueling transnational organized crime in the East African region. Documented crimes include; illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, driven largely by the rising demand for Nile perch swim bladders (fish maw) in the Chinese market, as well as the illegal mining of sand, charcoal, and timber.

The report notes that Lake Victoria’s ecosystem, including its plant and fisheries resources, is under constant threat of extinction. Hardwood forests have been heavily exploited for boat construction, with one tree species, locally known as Mukebu (Cordia melenii), being particularly affected. This tree is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as well as the National Red Lists in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

The vast size of Lake Victoria makes it difficult to patrol, attracting illegal actors seeking to exploit the surrounding environment. The report notes that an estimated 40-50% of all fishing on the lake is illegal, unregulated, or unreported. Moreover, fish is not the only target; other natural resources in and around the lake have also experienced significant decline due to illegal activities.

According to the report, fishermen use the water mass not only to legally eke out a living but also to profit from overexploitation of the environment through practices such as illegal fishing and sand mining.

The study on transnational threats to Lake Victoria was launched in 2023 by the Institute for Security Studies through the ENACT (Enhancing Africa’s response to Transnational Organized Crime) project, in collaboration with the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) and it was aimed at understanding better the threats and their impacts.

Clashing operational mandates

The study, conducted between July and November 2023, attributes the rise in illegal activities to the lack of a unified registration system for small boats, which has facilitated their use in such practices. It also highlights the clash in operational mandates among security forces from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, which is undermining regional efforts to combat these and other crimes.

Dr. Willis Okumu, a senior researcher at ISS who focuses on transnational organized crime in East Africa and a lead researcher for the study, revealed during an online seminar on August 14, that illegal fishing constitutes the largest portion of criminal activity on Lake Victoria.

“Fisherfolk are the main actors because they are very knowledgeable about the lake; they are called consultants; owing to their navigational experience and geographical knowledge of the lake,” he said.

“At times, their boats are used to smuggle timber and charcoal as well as carry out illegal fishing. So, as they go about looking for a livelihood on the lake, they are basically committing a good percentage of crime within the lake.”

However, fisherfolk are not the only offenders on Lake Victoria. State officials are also implicated in environmental crimes for personal profit. Each of the three countries bordering the lake maintains a security presence: Kenya has the Kenya Coast Guard Services, Uganda operates the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU), and Tanzania deploys the Tanzania Marine Police. These security forces are supported by the Beach Management Unit (BMUs) personnel, who are supposed to play a role in managing lake activities. However, that is not the case in and around the lake.

“The Beach Management Units are complicit in the commission of these crimes on the lake because they control the landing sites and beaches,” Okumu said, adding that in Uganda, BMUs often ask for bribes from Kenyan fishermen to fish in Ugandan waters.

He added: “The government officers who are supposed to ensure that the environmental regulations are followed often opt to take a bribe or look the other side when crimes are being committed.”

“The lake is vast and hardly policed and that has given rise to a lot of illegal operations that relate to environmental but also transnational organized crime,” he said.

Why organized crime is thriving on the lake

Maritime scholars argue that crimes in lakes, oceans and seas require the convergence of various elements: the presence of ready labour to carry out the crimes, the presence of a largely ungoverned water mass where illegalities can occur, and the allure of profit. At the local level, committing a crime in the lake requires the availability of the actor; their boat rowing or driving skills, and the intent/opportunity to profit from illegal fishing in the lake.

But proximity to Lake Victoria and the skills acquired to survive around the lake, such as fishing, swimming and boat rowing, can also be deployed in the commission of crimes for personal benefit. Yet, those who have the right skills (navigation) and tools (boat) to engage in activities such as illegal fishing often claim ignorance of the law when apprehended for trespassing in another country’s waters.

Illicit activities in Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria is home to different fish species including the Nile perch, tilapia, mudfish and silverfish (dagaa). Crimes on the water sometimes take place in specific areas due to the convergence of rich fish species at those locations or the presence of highly profitable endangered species on specific islands within the lake. This can attract illicit actors interested in benefitting from the exploitation of these natural resources.

Hotsports that attract high traffic due to the abundance of fish include Migingo Island at the water borders of Kenya and Uganda. Islands such as Remba (Kenya) and Goziba (Tanzania) attract high movement of people from East Africa and beyond due to the convergence of other illicit markets, such as the marijuana and charcoal trades, the trade in counterfeit goods, and the in-flow of undocumented workers, most of whom are youth and women who are forced into sex work, forced labour or working at entertainment venues.

The study notes that the lack of enforcement of fisheries regulations allows fisherfolk to not only legally sustain their livelihoods but also engage in various forms of illegal fishing. These violations include operating without the required gear or nets, fishing in prohibited zones, lacking necessary licenses or permits, and targeting juvenile fish, among other crimes.

To make the situation even worse, the enforcement officers in the three East African countries, the report notes, are also known to use violence and brutality in the lake to commit robberies of fish, fishing gear, fuel and boats, thus further promoting illegal fishing and environmental hazards.

For example, the deployment of the Fish Protection Unit in Ugandan waters of Lake Victoria since 2017 has led to various incidents, including extrajudicial killings, destruction of illegal fishing nets and gear, confiscation of fish, arrests and convictions, and the seizure of boat engines. Fishermen from Kenya and Tanzania have faced severe consequences, including drowning, theft of fish, and substantial fines.

Meanwhile, sand mining in Lake Victoria continues along the shores and inlets of the lake in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. At the local level, the key actors in sand mining are young men from these shores, local contractors and transporters who use it in the construction industry. But the Chinese investors have also sought authorization from state authorities to conduct dredging to expand ship routes, especially for oil tankers that ferry petroleum from Kenya to Uganda.

While dredging companies have been permitted, cases of Chinese companies being involved in sand mining through dredging emerged in 2018 when a Chinese firm known as Mango Tree Group was authorised to excavate sand at various sites in Uganda. The dredging was to allow for the docking of large ships and to enable water transport to other East African ports.

However, Ugandan data indicate substantial sand exports to China. A Daily Monitor analysis from 2014-2017 indicated a lack of regulation and oversight based on confusing export numbers.

Uganda, for instance, exported 14 tonnes of sand in 2014, earning US$4,800. In 2015, Uganda exported 22 tonnes of sand from the shores of Lake Victoria, earning US$68,000; in 2016, it exported 19 tonnes, generating US$1,074; and in 2017, it exported 3 tonnes, bringing in US$43,000.

Sand mining in Uganda not only supplies the construction industry but also produces gravel used in various applications, including mixing with chicken feed, glass manufacturing, and water filtration in China. Chinese and Nigerian sand mining companies play a crucial role in this industry, with operators seeking specific types of sand that are graded, packed, and exported according to their requirements.

Interestingly, unlike sand for construction that is displayed to attract buyers, gravel has a specific market that remains a secret. Other actors in the illicit value chain of gravel in Uganda include local politicians, security personnel and brokers.

Local media in Uganda report that Ugandan sand is exported to China via the Busia and Malaba borders. It is packaged in large containers and “branded in a way that complies with the law,” suggesting that paperwork may be falsified to facilitate this environmental crime, notes the report.

In Kenya, Mango Tree Marine, an affiliate of Mango Tree Group was accused in 2021 of sand harvesting. According to the National Environmental Authority (NEMA), Kenya’s environmental management agency, the company’s operations in Mbita, Takawiri Island, Rusinga and Mfangano were found to be in ‘contravention of NEMA license.’

This was after a public outcry on the dredging activities and sand harvesting carried out by the company. Local-level sand harvesting in Kenya has been spurred by the construction boom along the Lake Basin counties of Kisumu, Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, Kisii, Homabay and Migori. Many former fishermen have turned to sand harvesting due to a reduction of fish in the lake.

In one focus group discussion with BMU members from Usenge, Kenya, it was noted that sand harvesting along the shores and landing sites of Lake Victoria poses a great threat to the fishing industry since it destroys fish breeding sites.

Patrick Otuo, a socio-economic researcher at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Resource Institute noted that the wanton targeting of large and mature Nile perch that are sexually mature has an effect on the viability of Nile Perch and other species.

Nelly Kerebi, a fish biologist at Kenya Fisheries Service told the online meeting that for a resource to be sustainable especially the fishery resource, its stock must be maintained and restored. But there is overfishing on the lake.

“There is an increased effort on the lake in terms of both mechanical and manpower effort,” she said. Kerebi noted that in the past years, most of the vessels involved in fishing in the lake were mainly paddle-driven or windsails but there is an improvement in technology and fisherfolk have moved to engine-powered vessels.

“We see an increase in manpower on the lake but also illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing which is one of the biggest issues in the lake. This is an issue of concern.”

As a result, Kerebi said, data collection is becoming a very big challenge. “The data is not getting to the agencies which are supposed to make informed or correct policies.”

From a fisheries perspective, sand harvesting causes siltation which causes destruction of breeding habitats of fish hence affecting the fish stock. She said fish maw trade is forcing the fishermen to target Nile perch more than any other species.

Timber smuggling too is rampant

Yet the fish sector is not the only sector suffering at the hands of environmental crime in the lake. The Lake Victoria islands such as Migingo (Kenya/Uganda), Remba (Kenya) and Koome (Tanzania) have become havens for the smuggling and trafficking of timber of various kinds. The Mukebu/drum tree (Cordia melenii) that is used for making boats is slowly becoming extinct on the Ugandan shores of Lake Victoria due to overharvesting.

As a result, boat makers now rely on smugglers to obtain the tree from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mahogany smuggling syndicates around the shores of Lake Victoria have also been noted in Busia County at the Kenya-Uganda border, from where it is taken to the port of Mombasa. Further, cases of arrests of smugglers of mahogany, podo and measopsis eminii timber from Uganda to Tanzania have also been noted.

Illicit charcoal trade

The Lake Victoria islands further serve as critical nodes for the illicit charcoal trade in East Africa with forests on Ugandan shores of Lake Victoria being the primary source of charcoal supplied to Kenya.

Local communities on these shores cut forest wood and make charcoal that is then transported by boat to Ugandan islands. Kenyan and Ugandan boats then cross the national boundaries to supply to wholesalers in Kenyan islands such as Remba.

From the Kenyan islands, the charcoal is then transported to retailer towns such as Migori and sold inland. The key actors in the illicit charcoal value chain therefore include local community members, businessmen, boat owners/transporters and local retailers who sell mostly to urban dwellers.

Charcoal from Uganda is supplied to Kenyan islands and distributed to towns such as Mbita, Migori, Homabay, Muhuru Bay and Sori. In April 2019, a Ugandan boat capsized near Bukasa Island in Kalangala District while smuggling charcoal to Kenya. The boat was allegedly overloaded with charcoal.

In July 2023, another Ugandan boat capsized near Kiseba islands in Kalangala District, killing 11 passengers. This boat was also overloaded with 100 bags of charcoal. The Ggaba market at the shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda seems to be a major distribution point for charcoal harvested from Koome Island.

The existence of cross-island networks of charcoal trade in Lake Victoria has also been established: Motor boats transport charcoal produced on Lake Victoria islands such as Koome in Uganda to the shore from where it is delivered to busy marketplaces such as Ggaba and Luzira in Kampala. The boats are manually loaded and unloaded by traders.

Dr. Okumu said environmental crimes in Lake Victoria thrive due to the readiness of actors willing to sustain the illicit markets in illegal fishing, sand harvesting and the charcoal trade, as well as the limited government presence and low probability of arrests in these spaces.

Possible solutions?

Going forward, the researchers call for the harmonization of the enforcement mechanisms used by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to enable them to cooperatively tackle transnational organised crimes, including environmental crimes such as the transit of charcoal, timber and illegal fishing in Lake Victoria.

They also call for the harmonization of, fishing regulations to ensure uniform compliance by fishermen in the lake. “This should include approved net sizes, fish sizes, fishing gear and penalties for non-compliance, they researchers say.

Besides reviewing and re-establishing an oversight mechanism over the operations and functions of BMUs to curb their complicity in the commission of transnational organised crimes in Lake Victoria, the researchers want the three East African countries to establish a modern and effective radar system to enhance information sharing, and security oversight in the ports and among security personnel and regional administrators in the lake.

“There is also urgent need for the gazetting of all islands in Lake Victoria to enhance the presence of border control officials and prevent the commission of transnational and environmental crimes.”

That should be followed by the development of a unified registration, identification and monitoring system for small vessels as they are the key conduits for the trafficking, smuggling and sale of fish on the lake.

Okumu noted that Lake Victoria appears to be suffering from a lack of strategic investments and this has contributed to the status quo on this lake. He said, Lake Victoria is a big resource and it is a good thing that the partner states are realizing its importance but it is important to recognize that as the economy grows it does so with environmental crimes.

Patrick Otuo, a socio-economic researcher at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Resource Institute highlighted the importance of data science, regional cooperation and the deployment of technology (drones and live satellites) to improve monitoring of illegal activities in the lake.

Otuo called for increased enforcement, better data collection, and more significant penalties for offenders to safeguard Lake Victoria’s future. “We shouldn’t be having laws that are not enforceable,” he said.

Source: allafrica.com

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