Businesspeople and mere commuters in Likoma have applauded the re-introduction of a Mozambican MV Chambo on Lake Malawi, saying the development will sort some of the water transport-related challenges.

In an interview Wednesday, a mobile banking operator, Emmanuel Saidi at Mbamba said the coming of the vessel will reduce travel time and passenger congestion in the only reliable MV Ilala.

“MV Chambo which starts from Cobue in Mozambique and operates once a week from Likoma to Nkhata Bay, in this case, takes a long time for one to go to the mainland and come back to the island.

However, MV Chambo sails from Nkhatabay on Wednesday and returns the following day in the morning and this means that we can buy merchandize from Mzuzu today and return home from following morning,” said Saidi.

Another business operator, Monica Samueli commended government for negotiating with the Republic of the Government of Mozambique for the vessel to operate between Likoma Island and Nkhata Bay.

The captain for MV Chambo who did not disclose his name said that he could not comment on the vessel’s schedule until he meets with his Malawian counterparts in Nkhata Bay for schedule drawing finalization.

Recently Public Relations Officer for Ministry of Transport and Public Works, Watson Maingo said that MV Chambo used to provide passenger services on Lake Malawi but stopped in 2019 due to Covid-19 when borders in the country were closed.