Some students have even termed it as a crisis rather than just a dilemma.
According to the Students Union, it was recently realised that GTSC is providing 15 buses instead of the 20 buses as laid down in initial agreements with the Ministry of Higher Education Research Science and Technology leaving the Union flabbergasted.
“It is with dissatisfaction and displeasure,” the UTG Students Union stated in a recent dispatch, “that we write to once again call attention to the grievous transportation hurdles that we have endured since the commencement of this semester.”
“Factually, the agreement forged between the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (MoHERST) and the Gambia Transport Service Company (GTSC), promised the provision of twenty (20) buses to serve students from Monday to Saturday.”
“However, through the considerable data collection of the Technical and Logistics Ministry of the Union, it has been established that an average of only fifteen (15) buses have been commuting students; a realization that struck the Union and resulted in further engagement with the University Management, GTSC, and MoHERST, in hopes of ensuring the initial agreement of providing twenty (20) buses is honored.”
It added: “On October 7th, 2024, the UTGSU leadership, together with the Management of UTG, convened a meeting with GTSC, during which assurances were given that the full deployment of twenty (20) buses would be provided.
“However, following the communication of this resolution, GTSC subsequently rescinded its decision, noting that it could only continue to provide fifteen (15) buses, citing that it has only incurred considerable losses in operating the Faraba route. In addition, GTSC lamented that MoHERST has accumulated a significant debt that remains unpaid, exacerbating the grievance of the situation.”
The university students’ body reiterates “significant distress of the current underlying circumstances” and notes, with concern and dismay, “the significant number of students that are stranded on the highways from Monday to Saturday, mostly missing their lectures, particularly on Saturdays, the day wherein lesser buses are provided”.
While communicating their apologies for the distress situation, although it lies on the shoulders of MoHERST and other stakeholders, it reemphasized its commitment to students’ welfare.
“While the Union continues to engage the concerned authorities for respite and an effective resolution, we reaffirm our sternest stance and commitment to the pursuance of the welfare of the students of the University of The Gambia.
“Meanwhile, the Union calls on all Sub-associations and the general student body to steadfastly rally behind the Union for a consultative and collective approach in addressing this matter in our pursuit of justice and an amicable resolution.
“In the interim, the Union shall soon communicate its firmest position on this pressing issue, and we solicit the support of all student leaders and the entire student body. It is only through our collective strength and efforts that we may bring about the change that we so desperately need.”
Meanwhile, in its latest dispatch, it has threatened to resort to “other means of resolution” since consultations and meetings with MoHERST and the GTSC have not been fruitful enough.
