Residents of Kalehe, South Kivu, express their concern after a series of shipwrecks on Lake Kivu. The latest incident, which occurred on Thursday October 3, cost the lives of at least 23 people. Another shipwreck on the Musheni axis caused the death of one person, the disappearance of two others, and 15 survivors.
Faced with these tragedies, residents are pleading for the rehabilitation of national road number 2 (RN2), which connects Bukavu to Goma via Minova. This axis, currently occupied by the M23 rebels, is seen as a solution to reduce dependence on lake transport, which is often dangerous. Traders are currently forced to use Lake Kivu to supply Goma, despite the risk of shipwreck.
“We ask the government to rebuild the RN2 Bukavu-Goma and provide the four boats promised by the Head of State after the tragedy which cost the lives of more than 114 people” declares Delphin Birimbi, president of territorial civil society from Kalehe.
In response to recent incidents, the provincial minister of Transport, communication routes and access to South Kivu suspended the head of the Minova lake post. The latter is suspected of having allowed the overload of passengers and goods on the MV Merdi, the boat which capsized on Lake Kivu on Thursday October 3.
Kalehe residents hope that the rehabilitation of the RN2 will provide a safer alternative and help limit the risks of future tragedies on Lake Kivu.
Related News :