The Tanzanian government is expected to give within the month its formal approval for the construction of a new Ro-Pax ferry to serve the country's Ukerewe Island District in Lake Victoria.
The government has also marked September this year as the target period for the vessel to begin full operational sailing.
Once completed, the new ferry will be able to accommodate 300 passengers and 10 cars.
An official of the Tanzania Electrical, Mechanical, and Electronics Services Agency (TEMESA), which also operates the country's government-owned ferries, has confirmed that the construction of the vessel will be fast-tracked to ensure the resumption of the Ukerewe ferry service earlier than originally intended.
The government temporarily ceased its ferry operations between the islands of Ukara and Bugolola in the Ukerewe district following the tragic capsizing of the Ro-Pax Nyerere on September 20, 2018 which resulted in 228 passenger deaths.