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Momodou
Denmark
11644 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Feb 2012 : 21:43:15
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Foroyaa Editorial : MR PRESIDENT, WHY ARE THE NEW FERRIES NOT OPERATING? DELAY BY FERRY CROSSING AT THE NORTH AND BAD ROAD ON THE SOUTH BANK
By Publisher
22-02-12
The Gambians who wish to go to URR are now in a trap. Few transports are now willing to risk the bad roads or ferry crossing to go up country.
Those who travel on the South Bank have to join their transports by 2 am or after midnight, to start their journey. Once the transports get to Mayok in Foni up to Soma, one has to braze up for a rough ride on a gravel road and take in dust in one’s mouth, nostrils and get one’s clothes, hair and body covered with red dust. The situation repeats itself from Jimara up to Basse.
Before the Presidential Elections, two ferries were commissioned. The impression was given that it would be a remote possibility for a ferry disaster to occur again in the Gambia. Furthermore, it was expected that the Lamin Koto - Passamas road would be given priority.
Instead of linking the North and South Banks with an efficient ferry service, we are now facing a situation where weather condition is not only determining farming but the operation of our ferries also.
The whole country is observing the impossible conditions that are being put in the hands of those who are operating and managing ferries that could head towards directions that are not intended. Government is fully aware of the troubles of the ferry services and should be ready to accept full responsibility for any outcome.
The Nation is owed an explanation why what are claimed to be new ferries are still not delivering the effective and efficient services intended.
It is also necessary for people like Ouzza, Thione Seck (the Senegalese musicians) to travel to Wuli East and try to get a transport to Basse from Sutukoba or Makka Masire. Only one transport leaves such villages to go to Basse daily. One has to join the transport as early as 4 am to be able to get a place.
Recently, an NGO organised training for some women in the URR. A woman coming from Makka Masire boarded the only vehicle shuttling between her village and Basse only for it to have a breakdown. The woman could not attend the programme in Basse. The family had to arrange for another means to help her to go back home since she was closer to her village.
Development is not about comparing the past and the present. It is measuring how close one is to addressing the needs and aspirations of a country and people. There are still too many poor and deprived villages and people to warrant us not to sing songs of praise to leaders. What are needed are reminders for leaders not to forget those who cannot even afford one meal a day and those who are trapped in villages and could only move if they have carts to take them. Gambia is still a heavily indebted poor country. It is good to dream to become an Economic super power. However, the best thing for a government to do is to plan to provide decent food, drinking water, clothes, housing, education, health and means of communication for all.
Source: Foroyaa
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 22 Feb 2012 : 22:23:42
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The "NEW" bigger ferries are operating the Yellitenda-Bambatenda route across the Gambia river this may well be that the required docking works needed to be built at Banjul and Barra have not got underway as anticipated,it would be cheaper maybe to scrap the bigger ferry option and buy new(or reconditioned) smaller ferries that can cope with the existing infrastructure at Banjul and Barra.
Barra/Banjul route has no NEW ferries and has to rely on the badly maintained, waiting for an accident to happen old ferries.I feel certain that the administration is FULLY AWARE of the "problems" but has chosen an option that does not appear to resolve the situation at this time. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 22 Feb 2012 22:24:59 |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 01 Mar 2012 : 20:53:22
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Somebody has told somebody to pull their finger out and get on with the job,great when completed should make all the difference:
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/gpa-the-ferries-and-the-people
The wind of change is blowing hard in Gambia,that can only be good. 
I especially like this bit"The GPA should and must be seen to take immediate steps to put aside any ferry that is no longer safe for use by the travelling public, and nothing should be taken for granted.
The overriding consideration should be the safety of the people!
As an immediate measure, to giving the travelling public more confidence in the services at the ferry terminals, ferries that are no longer in a good condition should be removed from operation without further delay.
Indeed, any ferry that needs maintenance should be given the immediate attention it deserves.
Also, extra inspection should be conducted on ferries routinely, shortly before their departure.
Captains should be extra vigilant about the state of their ferries; they should not at any point in time ignore any abnormality in their ferries." |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 01 Mar 2012 20:54:27 |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2012 : 17:15:50
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| KOBO, we are chasing each other here with this topic |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 06 Mar 2012 17:16:21 |
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