Isles govt sells MV Mapinduzi

By Mwinyi Sadallah

MV Mapinduzi

The Zanzibar Revolutionary government has sold its liner – MV Mapinduzi – at a price of $410,000 (about Sh600 million) to a local company, The Guardian on Sunday has learnt.

The decision to sell the ship had been taken and effected last year by the sixth phase government under the immediate former Zanzibar President Aman Abeid Karume.

The government sold the ship to Badr East African Enterprises Limited owned by Giafar M. Beder. The vessel, which used to ply between, Unguja and Pemba, had suspended services because it was out of order.

Minister for Infrastructure and Communications Hamad Masoud confirmed the ship’s sale, saying the government was looking for an alternative and new passenger ship.

Permanent Secretary for the finance ministry Khamis Mussa said the Badr East African Enterprises Limited won the bid. MV Mapinduzi was bought by the second phase government under Aboud Jumbe Mwinyi.

Re-christened MV Ras Kigomasha, the ship left for Dubai for maintenance expected to cost $ 1.5 million. It was manned by a 12 –man Pakistani crew. After the sale, the ship was re-registered by the name of Captain Abdallah Said Abeid.

The ship had capacity of carrying 750 passengers and 1,500 tonnes of cargo. It was not immediately clear if the ship would return to Zanzibar after the maintenance.

The decision to sell the ship could be a blow to Zanzibaris as it offered good services to them, especially to residents of low income from Unguja and Pemba.