The Kanilai ferry, being the latest one, had an incident of engine failure on Friday 12 April, official sources have said. On March 4 this year, the Kunta Kinteh ferry was grounded and taken in for maintenance for six weeks.
Mr President, the grounding of both ferries at this point in time has gravely affected movement of people and goods and, by extension, the economy.
Serious and urgent measures should be taken to get new ferries, through bilateral cooperation with countries like China, Japan, Turkey and Holland.
The grounding of the ferries has affected people of all walks of life, it must be underscored.
Another strain of the ferry saga is overcrowding in ferries and canoes, which should be avoided, with security measures firmly applied to discourage such grave risks.
Adequate life jackets should be made available on ferries and boats to help save lives in the sea.
Mr President, the Ministry of Transport is the line ministry responsible for GFSC and GPA. The Friday incident of the Kanilai ferry was threatening to lives and property and has aggravated the situation of ferry crossings between Banjul and Barra thus demanding the transport ministry to widen its search for a permanent solution to the dire situation by also tapping from the expertise and experience of retired senior transport experts in the country for the public or common good of our nation.
Mr President, the primary challenge of ferries lies on your presidency; therefore, invite among others Pa Omar Cham, Gabi Sosseh, Adama Deen, Modu Gaye, Hali Gai, M.L. Camara, Essa Drammeh, Habib Drammeh, Kebba M. Ceesay, Ousman Jobarteh and Ablie Tambedou to a meeting to discuss and find solutions to the ferry services challenge.
A meeting with such calibre of people should review the existing problems, causes and effects of the ferry services in this country with a view to coming up with recommendations to Government for a sustainable solution to the problem in order to bring about efficiency and ensure safety of lives and property in the service delivery of ferries.
These personalities mentioned are all experts that have served as PS, MDs or DMDs in the Transport Ministry, GPA, GFSC and GPTC. Apart from their academic qualifications, they have garnered a wealth of experience in managing transport services delivery either at the policy or operational level.
Government through the transport ministry has to find a way out of the ongoing ferry saga with concrete policies to turn around the GFSC. This suggestion is one avenue government can exploit in the best interest of the public and for the reputation of your Government.
The meeting should be chaired by both the minister of transport and the minister of trade supported by their permanent secretaries to break bottlenecks in the process of finding a common solution.
Good day!