THE Ministry of Transport and Logistics has handed over a Steel Pontoon to Limulunga Town Council through Mongu Harbor Master to be used at Libonda Crossing Point.

Limulunga Town Council Secretary, Namenda Kaonga who expressed gratitude for the gesture, disclosed that the pontoon was initially donated by Nalionwa Catholic Mission to Libonda in the past.

“It was later moved to Kalabo due to a critical problem that ensued at Luanginga river crossing point. However, the government in 2024 concluded the construction of the bridge on the Luanginga river thus rendering the use of a pontoon irrelevant,” Mr Kaonga said.

He thus said the pontoon will soon be picked to its destination and arrangements to recruit and train staff will be made with the relevant ministry.

Mr Kaonga said the pontoon would help movement of people between those across the Zambezi and movement of goods crossing to Libonda from Limulunga and vice versa.

He also highlighted that safety would be enhanced as opposed to using the local canoes, stating that the route from Limulunga to Libonda will be active.

“At the moment, crossing is not predictable unless one either chances a canoe or makes prior arrangements with a relative or someone they know,” Mr Kaonga noted.

He also noted that it would expand the local authority personnel in line with the devolution structure and enhance revenue collection for the local authority and the community project.

Meanwhile, Limulunga residents have expressed excitement with the development adding that the crossing point was vital as it connects two districts.

Mwanga Mubita said crossing the Zambezi was quite dangerous due to use of canoes and the water creatures that prey on humans like crocodiles and hippos thus making crossing with a canoe a life threatening venture.

Namate Mate, who usually trades fish along the banks of the Zambezi in Kalabo, said the pontoon will make access between the two districts easy and safe, stating that people have witnessed bad incidents whilst crossing the river.