At a time when Ngoma District is grappling with finding alternative and cheaper transport means for agricultural output produced in the district, a ferry on Lake Mugesera has resumed operation after it had been grounded for months.

The ferry, owned by the district, was fixed at a cost of Rwf32 million. It resumed operations on Wednesday.

Loaded with vehicles and people, the vessel  moved from Mugesera Sector to Rukumberi Sector to demonstrate its capacity.

Speaking at the function on the shores of Lake Mugesera, the Governor of Eastern Province, Odette Uwamariya, urged farmers and businesses to utilise the new transport facility to generate wealth.

Uwamariya said the vessel would reconnect communities that were separated by the water body.

"Farmers can now take their produce to Kabuga or Kanombe in Kigali very easily. With alternative transport means (water and road), the cost will inevitably come down to the benefit of farmers,” she said.

Uwamariya further said the ferry would also strengthen relations between the two areas, adding that residents of the two sectors will be able to visit each other more regularly.

"Water bodies are good, but they tend to separate people. But with the ferry, it will take just minutes to be on the other side of the lake, which will as a result improve social coherence,” she added.

Meanwhile, residents commended the district initiative to repair the ferry.

Ngoma is a major producer of banana, pineapples, maize and beans.

Jean Claude Ndikubwimana, a pineapple grower, said the new transport mode was timely.

"We were isolated from most of our markets, but now it takes just minutes to access multiple markets,” Ndikubwimana said.