Ferry Kionzo before crossing Congo River, near Matadi, Congo (Democratic Republic)

"After independence, the road system deteriorated and only two paved roads were constructed: between Boma and Matadi and between Kikwit and Kinshasa. By 1983, the building of the only bridge over the Zaire River at Matadi was completed with assistance provided by the Japanese government. Later projects included building hundreds of concrete bridges to replace 200 of Zaire's 300 small ferries and log crossings. Ferries on larger rivers were to be refurbished." [F. Scott Bobb, 1999: Historical Dictionary of Democratic Republic of Congo, The Scarecrow Press, Inc.]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon traveled to Africa from March 17, 1970 to July 17, 1970.