The Zambia Postal Services (Zampost) will resume its water transport operations between Samfya and Chilubi on Lake Bangweulu soon.
This comes after government pumped US$80,000 into the parastatal to enable it buy new caterpillar engines to overhaul the post boat that has been out of operation for over six years due to obsolete engines.
Zampost board chairman Jazzman Chikwakwa confirmed the procurement of the two engines to ZANIS today.
Mr. Chikwakwa said the continued non-operation of the Post Boat for many years has denied people safe and relieable water transport between Samfya and Chilubi Island on Lake Bangweulu.
He said government has been concerned about the poor water transport services on Lake Bangweulu hence its decision to overhaul the Post Boat.
He said he has come to Samfya with a team of experts on a mission to inspect the state of the Post Boat.
Those who accompanied Mr. Chikwakwa were Postmaster general Paul Simfukwe and boat engineer Lionel Brookstein representing Custom 4 x 4, others were Zampost manager operations Catherine Chela and director of maritime at ministry of communication David Kame.
Mr. Chikwakwa said after a complete look at the Post Boat it has been found that the vessel is viable and is reparable to bring it to almost new standard.
He said it was government vision to take development to all areas and the repair of the Post Boat would enhance government efforts in delivering that vision to the people of Chilubi.
He said Zampost was already providing bus transport service to people of Mansa and other areas, and it was important that it provides efficient water transport to people who cannot get on the Post bus.
He thanked the ministry of Communication for being instrumental in sourcing funds and procuring of the engines from the United States of America.
And Mr. Simfukwe disclosed in an interview that work to refubish the Post Boat will take two months.
And Samfya District Commissioner Sylvester Chimfwembe said safe and reliable water transport like the Post Boat will boost tourism on the Islands of Mbabala and Chishi in Samfya.
Mr. Chimfwembe said a lot of people have been hesitant to travel to the islands both for business and sight seeing because of lack of reliable transport.
Chikwakwa is the Chairman of Zampost. Am sure Levy has given him the position due to tribal connections. We have a lot of clean and inteligent brains who can do a better job than these expired politicians. Zampost, all the best with the new Chairman-“ba mwisho”…….
Why should it take six years to repair a boat. Good initiative anyway.
I hope that the boat will be subjected to yearly inspection from now onwards and that it can be serviced annually. HK is right, it should not take 6 years to repair a boat! Is the boat service profitable? If it is can they consider a second boat and perhaps a third one too so that it can boost tourism.
I am glad too that it is up and running!
Typical the Board Chairman cum departmental head?
The Post boats were bought from DAMIEN SHIPYARDS of Rotterdam Holland with DAF engines.
Why not replace these engines with the same DAF engines will bring the costs down!!!and minimise the technical issues to worry about.
Awe mwandini ku Zambia twalicula, just because of the stupid heads that rule us. Can someone tell us the economic benefits of this place in order to allow the private sector to equally particpate in the provision of water transport other than subject people to 6yrs of canoeing!! Ole Ba Chikwakwa, cacine, niba mwisho wat can we say!!!
ba chikwakwa!!!! I don’t think you have the capacity to steer Zampost to greater hights, together with yo simfukwe (zampost CEO). You are jes enjoying the money and letting this company with its employees sink in to deeper troubled waters!
Any way This is the NUDEAL!
FIX IT QUICKLY NOT IFYAKULA PWA AMA YEARS DOING THE SAME THING.
you will drown,dont even try it or haven`t you heard of the increasing cases about drowning?
ba makaka ukukokola!
4.Big bro N.J.
I can’t understand how replacing Engines on the post with those other than DAF would make it more expensive.
A boat or an aircraft can carry any type of engine brand provided it fits the specifications. Because of the specialist requirements needed for Marine and Aircraft Engines, makers of the engines are completely different and separate companys from makers of the vessel or aircraft.That is why you would find boats made in Europe carrying Engines made in America. Chinese aircraft carrying American pratt and Whitney engines. Please it is not like a car where a Toyota Engine can only fit a toyota car.
instead of you *****s critisizing all the time why dont you find a better alternative.if you think there is something wrong with the government step up and know your role.
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