By Arret Jatta
The Gambia Participates, National Youth Parliament and the People of Nuimi demand that President Adama Barrow suspends and by extension dismisses all negligent officialsconnected to the ferry crisis that happened on Friday 12th April, 2024.
They made this demand during a press conference which was held at the NYP Secretariat in Kanifing.
The press statement which was read by Marr Nyang, Founder and Executive Director of the Gambia Participates, also stated that the incident was as a result of negligence and poor management of the ferry service. “The ferries have been overused, lack proper care, and the frequent procurement of engines from taxpayers’ money makes us suspicious that the authorities procured engines that are used and in a bad state, a terrible mismanagement and negligence!,” Mr. Nyang noted. “The stakes were high, and the authorities were not oblivious to it, but they sat and did nothing to mitigate the risks and as a result we are now in a NATIONAL EMERGENCY!”
They demanded that the mechanical problems affecting the ferries be adequately fixed and the immediate restoration of reliable ferry service not beyond the six weeks communicated to the public.
They also demand that two sea ambulances be purchased to transport patients who are referred to the EFSTH and beyond, to ensure safe and timely arrival and treatment, thereby reducing the chances of death from lack of transportation facilities.
They further added that the police accelerate investigation into this crisis and ensure transparency in the publication of results to ensure adequate public accountability on the implementation of its gains.
“Ramps be constructed both in Banjul and at Barra for the safe and convenient docking of the boats to ensure the dignity of the users, particularly old women,”
The group also demanded that there should beadequate security presence at the boat landing sites to ensure that regulations such as wearing of life jackets and none-overloading of boats are adhered to by boat owners and users.
They also said that the Banjul – Barra Bridge be constructed immediately as a sustainable solution.
“The responsible authorities must not enjoy blanket immunity for their negligence, we demand for their immediate dismissal for contributing to the loss of lives during the ferry crisis, the injuries sustained and the socio-economic hardship in affected families.”
According to organizers, the press conference was held as a result of permit denial for the group to hold a peaceful protest in Banjul on Sunday, 21st April, 2024.
“To our dismay, the police denied Niumi Hands permit to hold the protest in Niumi on the pretext of security concern ahead of the OIC Summit in Banjul, and as we speak, they have not provided Gambia Participates and NYP any response to their permit request to hold a peaceful protest in Banjul.”
“We have had two lengthy conversations with the leadership of the Gambia Police Force regarding the ‘Sess Nen’ protest in Banjul and Barra,” they concluded.