By: Binta Jaiteh
Ebrima Sillah, the minister for transport, works and infrastructure has said the monthly maintenance cost of Kunta Kinteh and Kanilai ferries amounts to D10.5M.
This was in response to a parliamentary query raised by Sanimentereng NAM Fatou Cham, regarding the cost of the ferries maintenance.
According to Sillah, the biggest cost component is the maintenance of the ferries at D7.4 million followed by procurement of spare parts at D2.7 million and while D0. 4 million is being used to procure lubricants and for dredging and other miscellaneous expenses.
The Sanimentereng NAM further demanded to know why there was only one ferry on the Banjul- Barra crossing route at the time of asking the question.
In response, minister Sillah stated that Kanilai ferry was undergoing general rehabilitation, including repainting and replacement of engines. He added that four new marine diesel and heavy duty engines have been procured.
“The new engines have been installed on the ferry and the remaining parts will be fixed around end of the month. We hope that in the second week of April, Kanilai will be in operation,” he explained.
Tamsir Cham, Lower Niumi lawmaker recalled that couple of months ago, the Gambia Government signed a contract to purchase two new, green ferries.
“When are these new ferries expected in The Gambia?” he asked.
He elaborated that the contract signed for the two new green ferries were to be financed in two different ways, stating that the first one is being funded by the African Development Bank with a grant of 85% and Gambia Ports Authority 15% counterpart contribution by the authority.
“The first one is at an advanced stage of contract to be delivered by end December 2025 as per the contractual milestone. As per the second ferry, the financial structure has been finalized and also to be completed in 2025,” explained Sillah.
