Fatshimetrie, the online media dedicated to the analysis of socio-economic issues in Africa, recently reported the concerns raised by the ULPA Association regarding the suspension of night navigation activities on Lake Kivu. This measure, initiated by the Ministry of Transport, has sparked heated debates regarding its implications for trade and the safety of local populations.
Emmanuel Nyakasane Manegabe, President of ULPA, puts forward several arguments to plead in favor of lifting this restriction. According to him, night navigation has advantages in terms of security, as the lake is more stable after sunset. In addition, on the economic level, this measure risks having negative consequences on the commercial activities of local populations already weakened by regional conflicts.
The repercussions of this decision are being felt in a tangible way, as evidenced by the decrease in the number of boats and commercial exchanges at the port of Kituku in Goma. While the market used to receive a regular influx of motorized canoes loaded with food products on Mondays and Thursdays, there is now a significant drop in this activity.
For his part, the president of the civil society of Buzi, Kalehe territory, emphasizes that the restrictions imposed have a direct impact on lake traffic as well as on local socio-economic activities. These measures hinder trade essential to the survival of the riverside communities and further weaken their precarious situation.
In short, the issue of night navigation on Lake Kivu raises crucial issues in terms of security, local economy and social cohesion. It is imperative that the competent authorities take these legitimate concerns into consideration and find a balance between security imperatives and the economic needs of the riverside populations.