For more than 10 years, Research Vessel (RV) Jumuiya, the East African Community’s only vessel of its kind, has been out of service due to issues on its floating dock, expired certificates and lack of budget for maintenance and repair costs.
Its certificate of seaworthiness expired in June 2012, according to a report by the regional Parliament's Committee on Accounts.
The RV Jumuiya is a property of EAC under the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) currently docked at Mwanza South Port, in Tanzania.
It was constructed in the United Kingdom in 1990 and began her maiden voyage in Malawi for Lake wide acoustic surveys and other research activities before it was transferred to Mwanza Port by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) in May 2006.
Before it malfunctioned, it was used by LVBC in carrying out research under various projects and conducting hydrographic surveys for the ports of Mwanza, Port Bell and Kisumu.
On Monday, November 29, Isaac Nyarwaya, a Rwandan who has since March been LVBC's Acting Deputy Executive Secretary, told The New Times that they welcome the lawmakers inquiry and report.
"We take it positively because it is an advocacy tool to get funds to make the research vessel operational and also progress to the subsequent phase of the headquarter construction project,” he said.
Asked about the vessel’s benefits, he added: "Research activities is the main purpose of the Vessel. One of the research areas is on water quality not only in Lake Victoria but in any water body in the region. The vessel will be fitted with hydrolab equipment that help to test water samples. And, there are numerous other areas of research the Vessel can support.”
But, among other issues, the vessel has mechanical problems that need to be addressed during the dry-docking if it is to pass the seaworthy inspection and be licensed to operate again.
But lawmakers did not hide their dismay, end last week, as MP Kennedy Kalonzo, Chairperson of the regional Parliament's Committee on Accounts, highlighted findings from an oversight activity they conducted in September to assess the progress made in the construction of the LVBC Headquarters and the mechanical functioning of the vessel.
Kalonzo said: "For over 10 years, the vessel has been currently out of service awaiting repairs and revalidation of relevant shipping certificates. The objectives under which the vessel was acquired have never been realized and LVBC continues to incur the expenses of payments of the salaries of the Captain and the Engineer who are stationed at the Vessel which remain non-functioning.”
Kalonzo explained that the Committee undertook a field visit to Mwanza in Tanzania to inspect the vessel after the Audit Commission raised audit issues that LVBC continued to pay salaries amounting to $411,803 to Peter Nkwama and Herman Bundala "who are employed as the Engineer and Captain respectively” yet the vessel has been out of operation for the past 10 years.
The Audit also reported that, further scrutiny of payroll records and site visit carried out on October 31, 2019 revealed that LVBC management continued to pay salaries to the two staff amounting to $58,829 for the year under audit.
"This implies that the total cost of salaries paid for the last eight years has accumulated to $470,632,” Kalonzo said.
In 2017, the LVBC Secretariat invited potential bidders (firms) to submit their proposals to undertake the specified repairs and dry-docking of RV Jumuiya. From the submitted proposals, LVBC developed a plan to dry-dock and repair the vessel in three phases with an approximated total cost of $81,825 LVBC budgeted for this assignment in the annual budgets but because of funding constraints it was not successful.
During a meeting of regional Ministers over Lake Victoria Basin held on June 22, 2018, in Entebbe, Uganda, Ministers directed the LVBC Secretariat to do a comprehensive assessment and cost benefit analysis of the vessel to inform a decision on the way forward.
However, Kalonzo noted, ever since the directive was issued, it has been difficult to undertake the repairs due to budgetary and funding constraints.
For instance, he noted, the Partner States approved budget for Maritime for the financial year 2020/21 was $5,500 USD and for the financial year 2021/22 it was reduced $2,600.
Owing to the necessity and urgency of the matter, LVBC management resolved to effect some reallocations within various budget lines since the approved budget did not provide funds for the repair of the Vessel.
Upon effecting reallocations, Kalonzo said, the management engaged the Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute (DMI) to carry out the assessment and Cost Benefit Analysis of RV Jumuiya at a cost of $10,990.
The cost benefit analysis of repairing the vessel commenced on October 4, this year.
Lawmakers who inspected the vessel say its outlook is impressive and it is still in good shape, considering the fact that it was built in 1990. As noted, the typical life expectancy of such a research vessel is more than 70 years.
Urgently avail funding for repairs
The Committee recommended to the Assembly to urge the Council of Ministers, the EAC’s policy organ, to, among others, urgently avail funding to undertake repairs of RV Jumuiya estimated to cost $81,825.
Angry lawmakers stressed that instead of trying to trim the numbers of lawmakers in the regional Parliament, Council should instead fast-track the project of finding alternative means of funding.
Uganda’s MP Susan Nakawuki said: "The solution is the alternative funding mechanism, not reducing the number of EALA members or witch-hunting the Assembly. We should not let go of this vessel; it is very important to the Community.”
Speaker Martin Ngoga noted that the vessel has the potential to generate income if well managed. "In a way, it is a question of accountability,” he said.
MP Fatuma Ndangiza said it was "unbelievable” that for 10 years, the bloc could pay for salaries but not pay for repairs and other necessary expenses.
"Continuous maintenance and extensive upgrade will significantly prolong the vessel’s lifespan and improve her performance for many years to come,” Kalonzo said.
The Committee was informed that the cost benefit analysis carried out by the Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute (DMI) established the cost of repairs, maintenance and dry docking of RV Jumuiya estimated it at $93,305.
The LVBC does not have a budget line for this.
The Committee was informed that the certificates of the Captain and the Engineer had expired and it is now coming to five years since the expiry.
The implication, Kalonzo noted, is that if the Engineer and Captain do not undertake a recertification course, they will need to start a fresh an 18-month course in order to operate the vessel.
As noted, without the recertification for the Engineer and Captain, they cannot obtain the sea worthiness certificate "which is a mandatory requirement” to operate.
Lawmakers want the sailing certificates of the Captain and Engineer renewed, or revalidated, in accordance with a related international convention on standards of training.
"The RV Jumuiya an important facility for undertaking research and rescue services in the Lake Victoria. It is a flagship bearer of the East African Community and the only major research vessel in the region. It is imperative to keep the vessel in good working condition through proper maintenance and timely repairs which will provide a safe environment for crew and equipment,” Kalonzo said.
Ezechiel Nibigira, Burundi’s Minister for East African Community Affairs, appeared concerned when listening to the issues raised by the lawmakers.
Speaking for the Council of Ministers, he promised to ensure that his colleagues who were not in Parliament as issues were raised are duly informed and that a solution will be found as soon as possible.
"It’s really unfortunate to hear about this. Really, it’s horrible. It’s not understandable, and acceptable, that we continue to pay salaries of people taking care of this vessel but we don’t see the outcome or product of the vessel,” Nibigira said.