MV Illala safely docks at new Nkhata Bay Jetty after failing on first attempt
MV Illala, which resumed its services on Friday after a four month break, and failed to dock at Nkhata Bay Jetty pontoon on Saturday because it was the first time to use it, has on Monday safely docked.
On Saturday the Captain thought it wise to be safe and docked 100 metres from the jetty and some boats were used to ferry people from the ship to the jetty.
He wanted to visibly see the dock using day light.
Passengers were told off the arrangement through public address system just before they docked.
The first Nkhata Bay Jetty pontoon—the bridge that links arriving and departing vessels—sunk due to heavy Mwera winds. The jetty was constructed in 1957 and the first pontoon was replaced after 28 years.
Transport and Public Works minister Jappie Mhango officially opened the new habour just two weeks ago with pomp and political rhetorics after Malawi Ports Company (MPC), a subsidiary of Mota-Engil, helped in the rehabilitation of the jetty..
Illala is back on sail having been certified fit by both Malawi Shipping Company (MSC) and Marine Department of the Ministry of Transport
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This Illala ship is a moving coffin. A time bomb. One day the country will wake up to find it on the bed of Lake Malawi with everyone perished. Ntchito ya atsogoleri athu ndikuba mmalo mokonza zinthu zimenezi. That ship is way over its lifespan.
The fact remains that as a country our standards are very low. That thing is too small for a jetty earmarked for an international port. It cannot handle a lot of cargo. Let’s stop rushed implementation of substandard projects because of politics.
Where are those that are good at spreading the wrong and evil only
Where are the Zodiak stoogges to report what has come now to be the reality?