COUNT ON US: MAAIF PS says floating islands under monitoring, right equipment identified

By Francis Otucu

The Permanent Secretary; Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has said the ministry has studied the floating islands and that all is known about it.

“We studied the spread of the floating islands. Therefore the hotspots are known and the appropriate equipment is being deployed,” Pius Wakabi Kasajja is quoted by the ministry in a tweet. He gave an assurance to the public.

“The public can count on the strong collaboration between the Ministries and Agencies involved,” he added.

Earlier, the minister in charge fisheries said the ministry is undertaking measures to have the islands retrieved.

“MAAIF is working with other stakeholders to undertake surveillance & monitoring on all lakes to ascertain the current abundance & distribution of weed mats with a view of unblocking by reopening the earlier 2 channels. These chunks of land and vegetation, which are referred to as suds, started to move on the surface of the lakes in the second week of April, with one 12-acre island reaching the Nalubaale Power Station in Jinja and causing a countrywide power blackout,” Hellen Adoa said adding, “the ministry is working with other stakeholders will undertake surveillance and monitoring on all lakes to ascertain the current abundance and distribution of the weed mats with a view of un blocking by reopening the earlier 2 channels in the blockage or dredging the lake in future.”