Fatshimetrie, September 28, 2024
A recent dispute between two shipowners sailing on Lake Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has highlighted the critical importance of respecting navigation hours according to the legislation in force. The provincial Minister of Transport and Communication of South Kivu, Paulin Birengerenge, has clearly called for compliance by all boat managers operating on Lake Kivu with the standards in place, particularly with regard to navigation hours.
This delicate situation erupted early in the morning between the crews of the Mugote and Emanuel boats, leading to disturbances that damaged the respective administrative offices of these companies in Bukavu. To restore order and calm, the police forces had to intervene in the port facilities, thus putting an end to any altercation. A meeting was then held to resolve the dispute over navigation hours on Lake Kivu.
It appeared that the Mugote establishments boat was supposed to leave first for Goma, being in possession of the exit permit issued by the lake police station. However, the two boats, the Emmanuel 2 and the Mugote, scheduled to leave at 7:30 am, finally set sail only at 10:05 am.
Faced with this challenge of coordinating navigation schedules, Minister Paulin Birengerenge announced his intention to convene a meeting with all boat managers to find a lasting solution to this situation. It is imperative to respect the legislation in place to ensure the safety and efficiency of maritime activities on Lake Kivu.
In conclusion, this recent altercation between shipowners on Lake Kivu highlights the crucial importance of respecting the rules and navigation schedules to ensure the smooth operation of maritime activities in the region. It is therefore essential that all stakeholders involved strictly comply with the legislation in force, in the interest of the safety and stability of operations on Lake Kivu.
The relevant authorities will have to play a vital role in resolving potential conflicts and putting in place preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future, thereby ensuring a safe and regulated maritime environment for all.