More than a year ago, the first floating bridge in East Africa built by a Chinese company was completed in Mombasa, a coastal city in Kenya, greatly improving the pressure on local residents to cross the sea. Since its completion, this sea-crossing pontoon named "Likeni" has been highly praised by the local government and residents.

"The pontoon bridge is the best, it shortens my daily commute a lot." Ruth Moses works on Mombasa Island, where the city center is located, and her home is in the town of Licconi, on the south bank, just across the road. The sea faces each other.

Residents walk on the Likoni pontoon bridge in Mombasa, Kenya, on January 4, 2022

In the past, local residents mainly relied on ferries to get around.

According to James Macharia, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Kenya, due to the frequent occurrence of safety accidents during the operation of the ferry, the commuting problem has become an urgent livelihood problem for the local people; in addition, the crowded people on board also hinder the local new crown epidemic prevention and control. to serious challenges.

In September 2020, the Likoni Pontoon Project was officially launched and completed on December 10, 2020. Today, the pontoon bridge with a total length of nearly 2 kilometers has an average daily pedestrian flow of 300,000 people. The pontoon also has a 186-meter openable section to ensure the passage of ships entering and leaving the port. At present, ferries are mainly used to transport cross-sea vehicles.

On January 25, 2020, in Mombasa, Kenya, before the completion of the sea pontoon, local residents could only take a ferry to and from Mombasa Island and Likoni town

"Before the pontoon was built, it took me 30 to 45 minutes by boat, but now it only takes 10 to 15 minutes to cross the sea. The quality of the pontoon built by Chinese companies is the best, and I feel very safe walking on it. Thank you China!" Local Resident Jacob said.

On January 25, 2020, in Mombasa, Kenya, before the completion of the sea pontoon, local residents could only take a ferry to and from Mombasa Island and Likoni town

On January 25, 2020, in Mombasa, Kenya, before the completion of the sea pontoon, local residents could only take a ferry to and from Mombasa Island and Likoni town

Jiang Xinxin, project manager of Likoni pontoon bridge at CRBC, said that in order to facilitate the transportation of pedestrians by local buses, the project department also built over 3,000 square meters of parking lots, 16 shops and police lounges on both sides of the pontoon free of charge. At the same time, considering that there are many students going to the school via the pontoon bridge in the morning and evening, the project department also installed 122 solar lights along the route for free to ensure safe passage.

Residents walk on the Likoni pontoon bridge in Mombasa, Kenya, on January 4, 2022

"As a company that goes abroad, we will continue to contribute to the infrastructure construction and social and economic development of Kenya and even the whole of Africa in the context of China-Africa cooperation, and contribute to China-Africa friendship," Jiang Xinxin said.Editor/Ma Xue