Communications and Transport Minister Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa has said government is working on improving safety of inland water transport to mitigate water accidents in the country.
Responding to the recent deaths of people on Lake Tanganyika and Kafue River after their wooden boats capsized while trying to cross on water, Professor Lungwangwa said government has already started putting up measures to mitigate the impact.
He said government is currently rehabilitating the post boat on Lake Bangweulu to serve people’s need of inland water transport.
Prof. Lungwangwa disclosed that government is also procuring a boat on Lake Bangweulu in an effort to boost inland water transport.
He said government would rehabilitate another post boat in Mongu to be used to serve people on the Zambezi River.
Meanwhile, the Minister described the accidents as unfortunate and untimely adding government could not do anything to prevent them.
He said government would work hard to ensure that there were no accidents of such nature.
QFM
JUST PROVIDE/WORK SILENTLY AND TELL USWHEN YOU ARE FINISHED.
GOVERNMENT MUST PASS A LAW TO FORCE PEOPLE USING BOATS TO WEAR LIFE JACKETS ,JUST AS DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS IN CARS ARE EXPECTED TO WEAR SEAT BELTS .LIFE JACKETS IMPROVES THE CHANCES OF SURVIVAL WHEN THINGS GO WRONG ON WATER.LET US ALSO HAVE NATIONAL POLICY ON SURVIVAL SKILLS FOR PEOPLE LIVING ALONG THE RIVERS AND LAKES .BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN MUST TAUGHT HOW TO SWIM AND DANGERS OF WATER IN THE SAME WAY ROAD SAFETY IS TAUGHT.WE ALSO NEED TO HAVE MARINE STUDIES INTRODUCED AT TRADES INSTITUTES ,OUR WATERS ARE VERY OPEN WITH NO LAWS TO GOVERN THEIR USE.