By Patience Longwe
Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jappie Mhango, has pledged to strengthen lake transport systems as part of broader efforts to reduce pressure on the M5 Road and improve cargo movement.
He made the remarks on Tuesday in Parliament during a response to a supplementary question from the Member of Parliament for Nkhotakota Central.
“Government intends to move cargo from roads to either rail or marine. This will boost lake transport. Efforts are being made to improve services on the lake, and we have partners committed to rehabilitating vessels and procuring new ones,” he said.
Mhango cited plans to modernise existing vessels and attract investors to improve lake services, saying that not too long from now, there will be more traders on the lake in terms of movement of goods and services.
MP for Nkhotakota Central, Sylvester Ayuba James, asked the Minister to reveal plans to revamp water transport, saying it is crucial to reduce pressure on the M5 Road.
“If we do not take a decision regarding revamping water transport, we will keep maintaining the M5 Road repeatedly, and this is not a good situation for a country in our economic condition,” he said.
James highlighted the strain caused by heavy goods transport, particularly oil, and urged the government to shift cargo to waterways.
“I would like to know what the government’s plan is regarding revamping water transport and substituting heavy goods from the road to water transport,” he said.
He also bemoaned inadequate funding for vessel repair, saying there has not been sufficient funding for the reparation of jets and boats in the current budget.
