By: Nyima Sillah
Serrekunda West Lawmaker, Madi Ceesay, sayspurchasing of a new ferry by government is long overdue while describing the recent poor ferry servicesas unfortunate and lack of proper planning.
“It is rather unfortunate that Gambians are facing these kinds of issues due to lack of proper planning because the ferries have services and life span. If the government sits until the ferries are unusable it is very unfortunate,” NAM Cessay told The Voice in an interview following the recent information on the two stranded ferries in the middle of the sea.
The Serrekunda Lawmaker suggested that the Gambia ferry services should have figured out the life span of the ferries and started planning ahead. He says since all ferries have a life span he wonders why authorities wait until it gets this far before they plan for solutions.
“As we speak we are told that the government has placed an order to buy new ferries but it is too late for action to be taken because they know that these already spent the best part of their life. The Purchase of a new ferry should have been planned long since but unfortunately, that is not done,” the Serrekunda West Lawmaker asserted.
NAM Ceesay points out that the frequent delay for the authorities to take action to remedy issues at hand is the main reason why people always criticize the government’s performance, saying they lack foresightbecause they wait until things are too late before they act.
However, early this week, both ferries, Kunta Kinteh, and Kanilai experienced a technical issue in the middle of the Banjul Sea leaving passengers frustrated and worried about their safety.
Meanwhile, during the deliberation of the 2024 budget at the National Assembly in Banjul, Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs, Seedy Keita, disclosed that the Gambia through the support of the African Development Bank (ADB) has approved the financing of the procurement of a new green ferry worth about US$13.0million.