A new river unit of the Natinal Transport Board (ONATRA, public service) will be operational as from June to transport leading personalities between Kinshasa and Brazzaville, a senior official of the board revealed on Thursday.

The new unit, dubbed "Vedette Maniema", is going to relay "Trans VIP" belongings to a private constructor, whose operating contract, conceded by ONATRA, will end in May.

Mooring alongside Ngobila beach quay since its appropriation a few months ago, "Vedette Maniema", the cost of the assembly of which stands at US$ 400,000, will jointly exploit traffic between the two banks of the Congo river with other rapid canoes of private operators.

The big "Matadi" ferry, withdrawn from navigation for almost one week now for technical reasons, resumed traffic Thursday.

The ONATRA senior official expressed satisfaction, on the same occasion, over installation of surveillance cameras at Ngobila beach by a Japanese mission.

This will not only maximise the earnings of the customs and excise office (OFIDA) and other income-generating services operating at the border post, but also guarantee the safety of passengers and their belongings. Panapress.