By: Sandally Sawo
The Gambia’s main opposition party has said the Gambia Ferry Services(GFS) takes the crown for incompetence and horrible service.
The UDP said Gambians are fed up with their poorly performing State-Owned Enterprises.
It would be recollected that the ferry servicesissued a press release dated 8 November 2024, in which it stated that “due to increased operational running cost of the ferries over the years, the current practice of allowing members of the security services to use the ferries without paying will cease”.
“Security personnel are reminded that they are also required to pay for crossing charges at all crossing points, except for the Gambia National Army officials in uniform or[with]IDs, who are exempted by law from paying for the use of ferry services,” added the release.
However, the UDP said the ferry service has deteriorated to such an extent in the past few years that some people have refused to put their lives in danger by taking the service to and from Barra .
“Instead of taking strategic steps to improve the service, GFS came out with a ridiculous policy that is not only divisive but has the potential to bring discord among the securityforces. The question to ask is how many security personnel use the ferry on a daily basis? The discrimination against the police, immigration and other security personnel has not been explained by the release?” contended the UDP.
“For as long as we can remember, security forces were exempted from paying for any public transportation during the Jawara era to date. Why change the policy now? What percentage of the ferry services revenue will be affected or better still, how much more revenue do they think they will gain from making the other security personnel to pay for ferry crossings?” stated the release.
“If we can recall, the Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure Mr. Ebrima Sillah, appearing before members of the National Assembly on March 18, 2024, stated that the Gambia Ferry Service makes, on average, D24.4 million as monthly revenue. (Foroyaa, 2024).”
The UDP said barely a week prior to the Minister’s appearance before the members, the Public Enterprise Committee (PEC) of the National Assembly reported on the activities and audited financial statements of State-Owned Enterprises which stated that the Gambia Ferry Services lost D193 million between 2018 and 2020.
“One of the recommendations of the committee was for the Board of Directors and management of the Gambia Ferry Services to improve its financial performance by strengthening revenue generation (Point, 2024),” stated the release.
“The National Assembly PEC, however, stated that some former staff members of the GFS owed the institution nearly half a million dalasis in unpaid staff loans, the GFS needs to clarify for the public what the status of those loans are.”
The UDP said it acknowledged the need for public enterprises to turn profits in their operations, but transparency in the finances of the institution is an indispensable element of earning public trust.
“The operating costs of running and maintaining the ferries have not been stated in the release for the benefit of the public,” the party pointed out.
“With evidence of unaccounted funds presented to the public by the PEC, it will appear unjustified to pass off the cost to the security force that is already struggling with the high costs of living. This added expense for low-income households will be an added strain. We all know that members of the security forces are among the lowest earners among public employees,” argued the party.
“In addition, this move will affect the smooth daily operation of the police, immigration, PIU, prisons department, etc. So, prison officers transferring prisoners from Mile II Prison to Jangjangbureh Prison would have to pay for ferry crossings and pay for the vehicle, the prison officers, and the prisoners as well? Waw, amazing. Police officers transporting suspects from Kuntaur Police Station, for example, to the Jangjangbureh Magistrates’Court, would have to pay for the ferry crossing at Lamin Koto? The Gambia Ferry Services must revisit this policy.”
The UDP said in all civilised countries, security forces are exempted from paying for public transportation.
“Hope they have alerted the commander of the ECOMIG Forces because they will have to pay for ferry crossing too since they are not part of the Gambia Army,” stated the party.
“Stepping back and looking at the wider picture, we see a struggling government and public service sector across the board with endemic corruption plaguing every aspect of society, thereby increasing the burden on the already struggling families. We urge the Barrow administration to get their house in order and alleviate the suffering of the average Gambian by curbing corruption,” concluded the party’s release.