Breaking News: Ferry Disaster In The Making In The Gambia- Customers Warned!!!!

 By Baboucarr ZY Saine (Njongon)

Sea disaster is inevitable in The Gambia, if Maritime authorities failed to discourage Ferry overloading, which is becoming a major concern to commuters, concerned Gambia Ports Authority passengers warned. A Freedom Newspaper reporter, who was on board one of the GPA ferries, reported about a growing concern over sea disaster in The Gambia, among concerned passengers. These Ferries are overloaded with big trucks, goods and passengers. The ferry overcrowding normally occurred during weekends, early morning work rush and after work. Ferry officials have been accused of ineptitude, careless and greed. They don’t tend to care about the lives of their passengers.  Such overloading might claimed many lives in event of any boat accident.  

Hundreds of passengers could be seen queuing at the Bara Ferry terminal trying to purchase tickets. The ticket issuance process was quiet slow, compelling many customers to run helter-skelter to board the overloaded Ferry.

Most of these passengers come from different backgrounds. Their main preoccupation  is to board the Ferry, while placing little value on their lives and personal safety. Missing the Ferry might affect their daily schedules. Some might be forced to spend over night in the City Banjul or at the coastal town of Barra.

Many preferred to travel by the Ferry, which is becoming unsafe these days. There is no adherence to Maritime transportation regulations. Passengers are usually jammed in the Ferry, with little or no breathing space. Ferry congestions often leads to insecurity and panic among passengers.

The passenger waiting room at Barra was over congested. There was no security clerk to write the names of passengers boarding the Ferry. The goal for such documentation, was meant to establish passengers  proof of address and other relevant identification information,  in the event of any sea accident.

Ferry workers said the said requirement has been frustrated, thanks to customers lack of compliance. But the customers defended their move.  Many customers believe that the exercise was a waste of time and energy. They are also dissatisfied by the services rendered at  Barra by the GPA workers. For example, they said the people tasked with the name collection were  mainly school dropouts, who  can hardly spell passengers names and other vital information.

Vendor Sarbanding Joof said the services provided by  The Gambia Ports Authority were left to be desired. He says the Ferry services were appalling, coupled with the safety violations on the side of the Ports staff. He says the two Ferries were in bad shape and it was suicidal for the GPA to overload their Ferries.

The rush at the Barra terminal  left many parents to abandon  their children. These kids are potential targets for any stampede.  “We are afraid that the overloaded ferries would one day cause accident and it would not be a good story. It has never happened in The Gambia and we hope it would not happen. But if one wants peace he should be ready for war." Warns vendor Joof, who was onboard the Ferry.

The workers there often announce, "This is the last ferry, as if it is theirs. And it is often the last and many people are left stranded behind the river at Barra. With their share in the local hotels, it makes many foreign passengers pass the night at the local hotels for Two Hundred or more Dalasis." Says Sarjo Bojang, a worker at the ferry.

Many people shed tears at the entrance of the ferry, as there is no control over the place. Every ticket buyer does what he or she wants,  ignoring the queue. The elderly could be seen suffering with their chidren.

Some people move about to cause confusion so as to pick pocket. Pick pocketing is common at the  Banjul/Barra Ferry terminals. Many old people collapsed on their way to buy tickets.   

Before Ferry workers started selling tickets,  many passengers are already in the ferry terminal looking out for the ferry,  while others are left in suspense waiting for the ferry, they cannot see.

 The new SoS for Communication Fatim Badjie needs to look into the activities of the GPA. The GPA,  is an area, which needs proper scrutiny, before the institution would land this country into a major Maritime disaster.

“Women workers at the Barra Ferry Main gate are doing a fantastic job. They are vigilant and are doing what’s expected of them.” Said a taxi driver.

Another traveler warns “If the ferry is not checked,  we shall soon hear another Le Jola tragedy and to avert it something must be done in time. There is no proper name documentation at  both terminals. The GPA shocks. The Ferry is often overloaded. This is risky for the lives of the passengers and that of the GPA staffers. I think the new Communication Minister needs to visit  Barra and GPA  to see for herself what’s happening at the Ferry. The lives of the GPA passengers are in jeopardy, as long as they refused to adhere to Maritime safety regulations.”