Govt Certifies New Ferry for Kariba Communities.

GOVERNMENT has certified a privately owned ferry to restore water transport services on Lake Kariba following the August 11 tragedy that killed 97 people.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said the ferry had passed inspections and would start operating within days.

The ferry was provided by a private operator after Government called for private sector support to fill the transport gap.

Minister Mhona said ferry services were important for communities in Kariba Rural and Kariba Urban, which were separated by the Kariba Dam. Road travel between the two areas is costly, with routes ranging from 313km to 437km.

Government is also buying two more boats through the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) to increase ferry services.

The measures follow the sinking of the RIDA ferry, Mbuya Nehanda, while travelling from Kariba Town to Chalala Fishing Camp. The accident killed 97 people and left 77 survivors.

President Mnangagwa declared the accident a State of Disaster to allow Government to provide support to affected families.

Cabinet approved a relief and recovery package covering humanitarian assistance, psychosocial support, infrastructure development, livelihood restoration and disaster preparedness.

Information Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said Government would improve early warning systems using weather stations, drones and communication equipment.

Communities will also receive training in water safety, first aid and disaster preparedness.

Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said counsellors had been deployed to affected communities and disaster survival training was underway.

Long-term measures will focus on restoring livelihoods through business units, vocational training and community-based economic projects.