Navy boats ferry people at Kilombero river

JOHN NDITI in Morogoro

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication, Eng Joseph Nyamuhanga.

THE Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) Navy wing, has provided two speed boats to ferry people free of charge from both sides of Kilombero river in Kilombero district, Ulanga and Malinyi, following capsizing of MV Kilombero II ferry on Wednesday night while crossing the river.

The Navy has also brought two crane trucks for lifting out the ill-fated MV Kilombero II on Saturday but they were unable to work due to heavy rains that made the soil around the ferry too soft.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication, Eng Joseph Nyamuhanga said TPDF Navy had managed to restore communication between Kilombero and Ulanga districts using the two modern speed boats, ferrying people to and from.

Eng Nyamuhanga who was in Ifakara said the exercise to lift out the ill fated ferry was hampered by heavy rains, despite the crane trucks being in place to do the work.

“The exercise is still on in collaboration with other security organs and the public, including searching for people feared dead after the MV Kilombero II capsized,” he explained.

He commended the TPDF Navy for prompt response and availing of the two speedboats to ferry the public free of charge. A resident of Ifakara, Aniasi Onesmo, appealed to the government to increase rescuing efforts and commended the Navy for availing the two speed boats.

Following the accidents, some people owning small boats are making money ferrying people across for 3,000/- per trip, although many of the people are using the Navy boats that do not charge any fee.

The ferry capsized on 27th January this year, at around 7:30pm midway with several vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and passengers. Thirty-one passengers managed to rescue themselves as they were wearing life jackets.

This is not the first ferry tragedy in Kilombero River. In 2002, another ferry, MV Kiu, capsized killing several passengers and caused loss of properties. Following the tragedy, the government purchased MV Kilombero I that was launched on October 12, 2002 that had a carrying capacity of 50 tonnes.

Following increase of economic activities in the two districts, in September 2007, the government bought another ferry, MV Kilombero II, that capsized last Wednesday. The ferry had a carrying capacity of 50 tonnes