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Walter Nyamukondiwa
Kariba Bureau
The District Development Fund (DDF) is modernising its vessels in Lake Kariba in a development that is set to improve transportation of people and goods.
Targeted for refurbishment are Chaminuka, Nehanda and Nyaminyami vessels which have been in service since 1985 and are now suffering constant breakdowns and high operating costs.
A round trip to Charara fishing camp via Gache Gache and Msampakaruma needed 600 litres of diesel and the installation of two engines on the Chaminuka vessel would halve fuel requirements.
Upon completion, the three vehicles are expected to significantly reduce transport costs and movement of fish from the fishing camps to Kariba Town.
People in areas such as Mola, Charara and Gache Gache rely on the vessels for easy travel to and from Kariba Town.
Speaking during a tour of the vessels here yesterday, deputy chief secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet (Administration and Finance) Dr Martin Rushwaya said fares would be reviewed once the boats start operating efficiently.
“There is a lot of movement after the lockdown,” he said.
“We want to refurbish our boats so that we have our people travel without many challenges. We want to relieve our people so that they travel under reasonable conditions. We are looking into the issue of cost and we want the best possible fare for our people. That is the reason why we focusing on changing the engines. We will need about 300 litres of diesel from the current 600.”
It costs at least US$10 to travel to Charara which would have cost around $25 by road.
The engines for Chaminuka cost around US$40 000 and work has already begun with the contractor expected to complete its refurbishment and installation soon. An assessment of the other vehicles and what would be needed to improve them is currently underway.
Mr Tichaona Manzungu of Gache Gache welcomed the refurbishment of the vehicles, saying it would help to reduce the cost of travel.
“It saves on cost and time when we travel by water than by road and this is a welcome development which takes us back to the good old days when the boats operated efficiently,” said Mr Manzungu.
Online Reporter