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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Oct 2013 : 06:07:46
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1. Only Kanilai ferry operating
Passengers utilising the Banjul/Barra Ferry Terminal on their daily commuting continue to express frustration over what they describe as “poor ferry services” at the said crossing point. This reporter yesterday, 10 October 2013, visited the two terminals at the Banjul and Barra again to find out how the situation is faring regarding the traffic of passengers and goods. Observing the situation, it was discovered that only one ferry ‘Kanilai’ which was operating at the time of the visit. The two other ferries namely ‘Johe’ and ‘Barra’ were both docked at one of the harbours of the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA). Adama Drammeh, a passenger who always commutes with the Banjul-Barra ferry crossing, said the travelers at the crossing are experiencing a lot of difficulties due to the poor state of ferries. She questioned how only one ferry can be used to be transporting passengers at such a busy crossing.
“We spend almost three hours to cross with the ferry today. The government should really provide us with new ferries as it has done with the new buses,” she said. Adama finally called on government to acquire new ferries for the Banjul-Barra to ensure efficient, reliable and safe service and to settle the minds of travelers at ease.Commenting on the state of the ferries, Omar Sanneh, a resident at Barra who often uses the ferries to cross, suggested the need for the complete overhauling and replacement of the ferries, “adding that none among the three ferries is in a good state.”On the issue of the increased ferry fares, Mr. Sanneh said increases from D10 (Ten Dalasi) to D15 (Fifteen Dalasi) was expected to be accompanied by an efficient service but added that the concerned authorities failed to fulfill their side of the bargain.
He also lamented the poor services and questioned the prudence of having only one ferry to service the said route. Lamin Sahwan, a student and resident at Essau Village, also reiterated the same problems and frustrations concerning the poor state of the ferries and the service, citing the risks to lives posed by to use of boats as an alternative means of transport to travelers. “Things are very hard with us who always use the Banjul-Barra crossing point.
The President should do something about the ferries because they are very old now. Let them provide us with new ferries,” he appealed.
Source:Foroyaa Burning Issues News Published on Monday, 14 October 2013 Written by Mustapha Jallow
2. Related Bantaba topic Banjul/Barra Sea Disaster Claims 8 Lives
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Edited by - kobo on 15 Oct 2013 06:08:29 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2013 : 06:29:58
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A PROMINENT GAMBIAN TECHNOCRAT SHARES HIS VIEWS WITH THESE COMMENTS;
The floating coffin saga continues
We've been told by the Jammeh regime that Taiwan has bought four replacement engines for our decrepit ferries that pose the single most clear, and imminent, yet preventable, danger to the public. These ferries are operated by the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA), a quasi-government agency that is expected to operate like any private enterprise despite the fact that it is heavily subsidized already by the passengers who use the 'services' daily.
The solution to these dangerous vessels is not the replacement of existing engines with second-hand, reconditioned engines which amounts to a temporary solution to a problem begging for a permanent solution. The regime continues to ferry humans, livestock and heavy trucks daily on the treacherous seven nautical miles journey across the mouth of the River Gambia. The once pleasurable and scenic 30-minute journey has turned into a nightmarish minimum 4 hours adventure. The journey is so dangerous that all foreign governments have advised their nationals not to venture into them. Senegal had to hire boats to rescue members of its sporting team stranded in one of these floating coffins.
The problem with these ferries go beyond engine malfunction. Therefore, this regime is still not getting it. They are missing the point entirely. The structural integrity of these ferries pose far more serious and life-threatening problems than the engines themselves. There are holes in the hulls of these vessels rendering them unfit to navigate. They are scrap and should be mothballed. Fitting them with reconditioned engines is a temporary stop-gap measure, and therefore not the answer. Permanent solutions must be found before it is too late......
Source:Courtesy of Sidi Sanneh Blog Spot By Sidi Sanneh |
Edited by - kobo on 15 Oct 2013 06:33:48 |
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toubab1020
12309 Posts |
Posted - 15 Oct 2013 : 12:20:52
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Kobo, I am certain that you will have read this: 
http://www.gambia.dk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13483
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 15 Oct 2013 12:22:20 |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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