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Z`bar state ships in bad shape
2007-10-20 09:36:57
By Mwinyi Sadallah, Zanzibar
The government of Zanzibar has admitted that its ships—including Mv Maendeleo and Mv Mapinduzi—, are in poor condition because their operational life span has expired.
The Deputy Minister for Communication and Transport for Zanzibar, Mzee Ali Ussi, was responding to a question posed by a Member of the House of Representatives for Mfenesini constituency, Ali Abdallah, during the on-going House of Representatives.
The minister said the vessels were too old and should be sold because they posed a risk to human life.
`We have decided to make a thorough research and come up with a report that will assist us make a final decision on whether to sell them or not,` the minister told the House.
He said Mv Maendeleo and Mv Mapinduzi had been undergoing constant maintenance as they were completely dilapidated.
`It is expensive to maintain these ships. It costs the government a lot of money,` he added.
`We have decided to evaluate the working condition of all vessels belonging to Zanzibar Marine Institute. The job is being undertaken by local experts,`he said.
`We ought to buy new vessels that are competitive,` said Minister Ussi.
Ussi said Mv. Mapinduzi was currently grounded as experts were undertaking major repairs.
Earlier on, the Mfenesini representative had wanted to know steps that had been taken by the government following the grounding of Zanzibar`s prime passenger and cargo ship, Mv Mapinduzi.
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