Local News

    The Ghost on Lake Victoria: Service Failures Undermining Tanzania's TZS 22.8 Billion Investment  By Adonis Byemelwa  Mwanza—Shortly before 9 p.m., hundreds of passengers converge on Mwanza South Port, weaving through ticket queues, document checks and security gates in anticipation of boarding the New Victoria, Tanzania's rehabilitated passenger ferry linking Mwanza and Bukoba. The bustle at the terminal suggests a fully booked voyage. So far, once the vessel leaves the dock and the final ticket inspection is complete, the atmosphere changes. During several recent journeys observed by this author, sizeable sections of the passenger lounges remained unoccupied, prompting travellers to question whether operational procedures rather than passenger demand are creating the appearance of congestion. The contrast lies at the heart of growing concerns surrounding one of Tanzania's most significant public transport investments. The government invested approximately TZS 22.8 billion to rehabilitate the historic MV Victoria, restoring a vessel that had been out of service for years because of mechanical deterioration and safety concerns. Reintroduced in 2020 as the New Victoria, the ferry received new propulsion engines, upgraded navigation systems, refurbished passenger accommodation and modern safety equipment. The project formed part of a wider strategy to modernise inland water transport and strengthen economic links across Lake Victoria. For generations of residents in Kagera and Mwanza, the ferry has been more than a mode of transport. Before the region's road network improved, it served as the principal connection for traders, students, families and patients travelling between the two regions. Many passengers therefore welcomed its return, expecting a safer, faster and more comfortable service. Several years later, however, repeated voyages undertaken by this author and interviews with passengers suggest that while the engineering rehabilitation succeeded, operational shortcomings continue to undermine customer confidence. Boarding begins with multiple verification stages that include ticket confirmation, identity checks, security screening and additional inspections after passengers enter the vessel. Maritime security procedures are an important safeguard, particularly on large passenger ferries. Nevertheless, many travellers interviewed during recent voyages questioned whether the sequence of repeated inspections could be streamlined without compromising safety. "The drama at the port gate makes you think the ship is full," said Bungo Mayala, a Sukuma trader from Misungwi who regularly transports dried fish between Mwanza and Bukoba. "After the last checkpoint, you look around the lounges and realise there are still many empty seats. The queues seem to come more from the slow boarding process than from the number of passengers." During voyages observed by this author, the vessel departed with visible vacant seating in several passenger areas despite the lengthy boarding process. Inside the ship, passengers also pointed to signs of wear that they considered inconsistent with a recently rehabilitated vessel. Some communal seating showed worn upholstery, while entertainment screens installed during the refurbishment remained switched off throughout the entire voyages observed by this author. Although these issues do not affect navigational safety, passengers said they diminish the quality of a service funded through substantial public investment. The strongest criticism centred on conditions in the economy-class section, where passengers alleged that access to sleeping mattresses sometimes depends on unofficial cash payments. Economy-class tickets generally cost between TZS 21,000 and TZS 25,000, providing access to communal seating and lower-deck accommodation. Several passengers interviewed during recent sailings alleged that they were asked to pay an additional TZS 5,000 in cash to obtain mattresses, and that no official receipts were issued....

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