In North Katanga, the Kaziba ferryboat has been in service for six months now on the Lwalaba river at Muyumba, in Manono territory. The vessel, whose construction cost has been financed by Katanga province, provides transport service across the river between Muyumba and Ankoro. Local residents view this floating craft as a contribution to the development of area.

The Kaziba 3 ferryboat is about ten meters long by four meters wide, and can carry five to ten tons of goods. It replaces a previous ferryboat, whose breakdown had caused the port of Muyumba to stop operating. This new ferry operates five or six crossings per day – that is if poor weather conditions don not interfere. Dieudonné Ngongo, the ferry’s engineer, says: « The ferry facilitates the provision of itinerant services by State agents within the area; and it also facilitates the movement of the population. Economic operators travelling from Lubumbashi to Ankoro and those travelling from Ankoro to Manono, all pass by here. This is a great contribution of the government the development of the area. “
To keep running, the Kaziba 3 ferryboat needs fuel. But there is no road toll service to help fund its operations. So a system has been put in place, whereby users are required to provide fuel and engine oil.

The region of Manono has an « Island of Stability » established by MONUSCO to support the local authorities’ efforts to restore State authority. Stabilization activity thus far undertaken by MONUSCO is having a perceptible positive effect on the socioeconomic development of area. Indeed, thanks to the actions of the Mission’s Justice Support section and of its United Nations Police component, as well as the work of the contingent of Beninese peacekeepers, the local population is regaining confidence and engaging in agricultural and commercial activities. For the local population, the Kaziba 3 ferryboat is one of the ways to move their products to surrounding localities.

François-Xavier Mybe, Radio Okapi