High-risk traffic on Lomami River as Makole ferry breaks down

Traffic on the Lomami River in the Lomami province of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been completely stopped for a month, local sources reported on Saturday, July 4, 2026. The suspension of the Makole ferry, which suffered a simultaneous breakdown of its two engines, has forced passengers and goods onto artisanal canoes, significantly increasing the risks of accidents and loss.

The Makole ferry, a crucial link between villages in the Lubao territory and Kabinda, the provincial capital, is immobilized about 40 km from Lubao and 160 km from Kabinda. Its failure has brought economic activities at the Makole ferry site to a standstill. Cargoes weighing several tons are accumulating on the riverbank, as there are no safe alternative means for transport across the Lomami River.

The Office of Roads acknowledged that the ferry's engines were old and beyond repair. The institution has submitted a quote for two new engines and the complete rehabilitation of the ferry to provincial and national authorities. However, no official response has been received yet, leaving the situation unresolved.

The reliance on overloaded canoes for crossing the Lomami has become a perilous ordeal for traders and transporters. Economic operators fear drownings, the loss of perishable goods, and fatal accidents. Some merchants are already reporting losses of their produce, while others are concerned about potential price increases in isolated villages due to the disruption in regular supply chains.