MP donates boat
Karonga North legislator Mungasulwa Mwambande (Democratic Progressive Party) has donated a 30-seater boat worth K430 000 to help community members cross Mtakisye River safely.
The donation comes after the death of two-year-old Tumwimikeye Mwangonde who was among 15 passengers on a boat that capsized in the river two weeks ago.
In an interview, Mwambande, who consoled the people of Mwasulama Village in Senior Chief Kilupula for the loss of the child, urged them to use the boat for its intended purpose.
He said: “I am sorry for the loss of the child who died when the boat capsized.
“I understand this month alone two lives have been lost while trying to cross the river.”
On his part, Kilupula Area Development Committee chairperson George Mwafulirwa said the boat will save people’s lives.
“People will use the boat to cross the river as they go to their fields to harvest produce,” he said.
Village head Mwasulama said the boat will also serve learners and patients from group village head Kalongolera who cross the river when going to school and Kaporo Rural Hospital.
In random interviews, community members commended the parliamentarian for the gesture.
Moses Mwanguleke asked fellow community members not to congest boats.
“In most cases, boats capsize due to overloading. The new boat will help reduce the number of passengers,” he said.
The donation follows persistent heavy rains in the district from March to April this year which also resulted in the destruction of Kyungu Bridge on M1.
