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{
    "id": 141605,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/141605/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 157,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Mwakwere",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 189,
        "legal_name": "Chirau Ali Mwakwere",
        "slug": "chirau-mwakwere"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, regular repairs and maintenance on the ferries which are plying the Likoni channels continue to be undertaken. Those ferries are old; we have five of them in operation. We have the MV Mvita, which was commissioned in 1969, the MV Pwani, 1974; MV Nyayo, Harambee and Kilindini which were put in operation in 1990 but they were bought as second-hand vessels. All in all, these vessels should have been replaced 20 years ago. However, I would like to assure the House that every action is being taken to ensure that there is safety despite the state of the vessels. There are six items that we take into consideration to ensure safety. We have live saving equipment such as life crafts, life packets, life buoys and other floaters and demonstrations are carried out regularly as part of the drill, hopefully, to save as many passengers as possible. We have radio contacts which can be made with harbour authorities in case the ferries drift off the creek through VHS. This will, of course, temporarily avoid collusion between the vessels and any ship. Our staff undergoes training to meet international safe keeping standards as required by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and ferries are manned by qualified people. Security is provided on board and at the point of loading. Finally, I would like to assure the House that those ferries cannot sink easily. I am not saying that they cannot sink at all but they cannot sink easily because they have flat bottoms unlike the Mtongomwe Ferry which capsized that has a V-shaped bottom. These ones are flat-bottom and they cannot sink easily. Probably, you can even say in confidence that they cannot sink but they can run adrift and that can cause a little bit of scare and confusion."
}