Lake Narungazi, a private property?

Since January 2013, new species of fish have been introduced in Lake Narungazi added to other three existing ones. People from Ntega Commune complain that they are not allowed to use anymore the water from that lake because some harmful products to human beings have been dropped into it to protect the new types By Lorraine Josiane Maishatse

Lake Narungazi: A woman washing clothes using the water of the lake ©Iwacu

Lake Narungazi is located in Kirundo province, Ntega Commune, Mugendo area, between Kanyagu and Buringanire hills, and in Nyavyamo valley like other lakes of the region. Before adding new species of Tilapia in Narungazi Lake, there were three kinds of fish such as Clarias divided into two species which are big fish commonly called in Kirundi” Kamongo” and small ones called “Isombi”. There are also Areochromis called Amakoke in Kirundi, and uncommon ones Astatoleocromis which are not often found in that lake.

Water has become bitter and causes allergy

According to Mrs. Delphine Bigendanimana, a young woman from Ntega met at Narungazi Lake while washing clothes, Dr Jean Minani, has brought new species of fish into that lake since the beginning of this year; and people realized that the water has been polluted and become harmful to humans in July and August.
“Products thrown into the lake have polluted water, and when we use it to cook food becomes bitter, or when we use it to wash our body, our eyes become red because of allergy. In addition, we feel some itching on our body and when we scratch it we get some wounds on the skin,” she regrets.
She indicates that some people from Mugendo area have been informed about the state of the water. Now, that latter is a little bit cleaner; people start to use it to wash clothes and do other activities.
M .J. the Chairman of Development Community Communal Council has the same point of view. For him, technicians who have thrown those products have informed some people about the state of water and forbidden people to use it whereas it is a public property.
“Generally, Kirundo is one province lacking enough water, so it is unjust to prevent people from using water from the lakes which are the only available sources of water in the area” he points out.

The lake has become a private property

M. J. indicates that, people used to fish what to consume at any time before new sorts of fish have been put into the lake. Authorities would ask people to stop fishing for a determined period of time to await fish multiplication. The lake was used publicly and benefitted the people. But now, it is strictly forbidden to fish there. It has become a private fortune. Both citizens and the Commune don’t benefit anything from that lake.
It is worth mentioning that when we arrived at the Lake Narungazi, there were children who were fishing. When they saw us, they said “they come, let’s run away” and they disappeared. That means that it is forbidden to fish into that lake.

The water code would have been violated

Emmanuel Ndorimana, the Water Managing Director, in the Ministry of Environment states that Dr Minani has been authorized to plant fish in the Lake Narungazi from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. He also adds that the Ministry of Environment has given him an Attestation of Environmental Conformity. He denies being aware that they have thrown toxic products into the Lake. He has got any complaint about it.
“If it is the case, he has violated Article 52 of Water Code which forbids dropping or throwing directly or indirectly any waste or toxic products which would provoke water pollution,” he highlights.
He promises to verify whether or not it is true so that severe measures can be taken according to the law to protect the lake.

Dr Jean Minani “…Those who say that I have thrown toxic products into the lake want to disturb my project…” ©Iwacu

As far as Dr Jean Minani is concerned, he denies putting any harmful products in the lake. “The only thing I have put into the lake is one ton of Tilapia. Those who say that I have thrown toxic products into it want to disturb my project; my main objective is to multiply fish and distribute them to those who possess their own ponds,” he says.
He also indicates that his project is officially known, well-analyzed and he has only planted natural fish from Lake Rweru. Then, there isn’t any bad environmental impact. He continues that his project is encouraged by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
“We have agreed with all associations of fishermen and members of the Communal Council that we will share what we will fish after one year,” concludes Minani.