In a press statement - themed: 'Response and Stance of the UTG Students Concerning The Faraba Transportation Nightmare' - the “Union expresses that it is with profound frustration that the University of The Gambia Students' Union responds and indicates its stance regarding the ongoing shortcomings in the Faraba Campus transportation service.”
"This service is provided by the Gambia Transport Service Company (GTSC) under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (MoHERST)."
"Evidently, since the commencement of this semester, students have been susceptible to a transportation ordeal, with only a range of 10 to 15 buses available, contrary to the agreement of 20 buses. This gross failure to meet the agreed-upon term is unacceptable and has sorely impacted our academic quests, causing students to arrive late for lectures or exclusively miss classes. Despite the Union's regular and determined advocacy and engagement with the stakeholders including the UTG Management, the situation remains critical.”
"It is clear that MoHERST and GTSC have overlooked their collective responsibilities towards the students they signed to serve. Reportedly, MoHERST has failed to pay its significant debts from the previous semester, forcing GTSC to operate at their discretion. These unfulfilled responsibilities disturb our education and erode the trust accorded to the transportation service.”
It further recalls: "Retrospectively, the students of the University of The Gambia had demonstrated reluctance of moving to Faraba due to challenges such as transportation, inadequate food, water, and electricity supplies. In the face of this reluctance, the Ministry assured the student community of its unflinching commitment to addressing these needs, with transportation a top priority. However, these dreamed challenges are real and still persist today on campus, causing serious impediments to the academic progress of students.”
"Above board, the leadership of the UTG Students' Union demands the immediate resolution of this transportation service deficiency. MoHERST needs to cover its debts to propel GTSC to provide 20 buses and respect the departure times and the designated pickup points. Given this, UTG Management must also rise to the occasion, continue to stand with the Students' Union, and play its part, as dictated by the MoU.”
"Ultimately, the leadership hereby categorically announces that if the transportation service does not improve to agreed standards by Monday, October 21, 2024, the Students' Union will resort to other means of resolution, starting with a grand press conference. Surely, it is our responsibility to advocate our rights and ensure that students are treated with the respect they deserve."
