NB new jetty takes shape
Construction of the new jetty at Nkhata Bay Port is almost complete. The Port was constructed to ease challenges facing passengers when boarding and alighting ships.
One of the ships, MV Chilembwe, was spotted on Monday docking on the new jetty, which is temporary, for the first time since the project started last year.
In an interview on Wednesday, Mota-Engil shipping port managing consultant Austin Msowoya said the ship docked on trial basis.
“We are still conducting trials to see if the jetty can be commissioned. We will submit our report to the Ministry of Transport and Public Infrastructure this week, who will decide if the jetty can start operating,” he said.
Likoma district health officer David Sibale commended the development, saying it will reduce expenses on the part of passengers who used to hire canoes and boats to access the ship.
“The jetty will enhance safety when boarding and alighting the ship. Previously, some people drowned. Sometimes there were stampedes as passengers scrambled for boats. But with the new jetty, those challenges are history,” he said.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Transport and Public Infrastructure said it was optimistic it would redeem the old jetty which sank in January 2016.
