APAC – Uganda National Roads Authority [UNRA] has halted the operations at Masindi Port for six days to pave the way for the routine maintenance of the ferry.
The maintenance repairs on the ferry started last Friday and are expected to end on July 13, 2023.
The exercise has left travellers to and from the districts of Apac and Kiryandongo with no option but to use road transport.
Meanwhile, users of the ferry in ferry in Apac distrcit will are using Chegere-Teboke road to reach Loro Sub-county which connects to Kamdini to travel to Kampala.
Samuel Okello, a resident of Apac district said maintenance of the ferry always interrupts businesses.
Okello appealed to government to at least provide one more ferry into Masindi Port so that when one is down, the other remains operating.
“I have been using the ferry, although it is always on and off. That leaves many travellers and businesses interrupted. The government should bring in more ferries TO Masindi port,” Okello said.
Whereas Geoffery Anok, director of bus company, Comfort Travellers said they always face challenges in serving their passengers whenever Masindi Port ferry undergoes servicing.
Allan Ssempebwa Kyobe, the spokesperson UNRA said the maintenance work is to ensure the ferry’s efficiency and safety.
Kyoba called upon the ferry users to be patient, saying servicing the ferry is one of the key mandates they always carry out to ensure the safety of the passengers.
“It is our mandate to ensure the safety of the road users and also in water so we always carry out routine servicing of our vessels and that of Masindi Port is one of them. I am appealing to our people to be patient in the interim,” he said.
Charles Bogere, the Masindi Port ferry master said that the halting of the operation for such a period of time will give space and time for the technicians to offer technical services on the ferry.
George Abudul, the Apac resident district commissioner commended the ferry users to use the alternative routes to access both Apac and Kiryandongo districts.
“People should now take some alternative routes to enable us to travel within the short time frame the ferry will not be working. Please bear with us,” he said.
https://thecooperator.news/delayed-repair-of-masindi-port-ferry-irks-travelers/
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
