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Introduction
A section of The Gambian population is angry over a critical ferry transport system that has collapsed. At the Never Again Memorial Park in The Gambia, hundreds, led by the Executive Director of Gambia Participate Marr Nyang, Speaker of the National Youth Parliament (NYP) Omar Cham, and others chanted in protest against The Gambia Ferry Services (GFS) that has presided over what appears to be a disastrous ferry crisis in the country. Not even the failure of the police to grant them permits for the peaceful demonstration will stop them from hitting the streets in protest against the GFS.
On April 21, the angry youth defied all odds and chanted for hope and a revival of a ferry system slowly becoming defunct. As a result, both the NYP Speaker Cham and Executive Director Nyang were arrested and later released on bail.
Background
The Gambia is the smallest country in mainland Africa and is located on the west coast between latitudes 13 and 14 degrees north and 13 and 17 degrees west. The Gambia is a virtual enclave in the Republic of Senegal surrounded by North, East, and South.
In the country’s capital, Banjul, is the route connecting people from Senegal and The Gambia identified as the Banjul Barra crossing point. The Banjul to Barra Ferry Service is one of the capital’s vital economic lifelines. It is an important transportation route connecting Senegal and The Gambia. It’s a vital economic lifeline and provides a convenient river crossing to Dakar. The ferry journey takes about 35 minutes, departing every 30 minutes under normal circumstances.
Three ferries operate across this route, namely ‘Johe,’ ‘Kanilai,’ and ‘Kunta Kinteh,’ all purchased by Former President Yahya Jammeh. The ‘Johe’ vessel has a maximum passenger capacity of 400 people and 25 vehicles while the Kanilai has 1,200 capacity.
Although journeying by ferry can be an interesting experience, it has become a nightmare for passengers who use the Banjul Barra crossing point for school, business, and day-to-day affairs.
The Situation So far
The Johe ferry has been halted for over three months, making operations across the Banjul-Barra river challenging for passengers since only the two ferries have operated since then.
This was followed by an unfortunate breakdown of the Kunta Kinteh ferry, prompting The Gambia Ferry Services (GFS) to release a statement saying the ferry would be on maintenance for six weeks. Against this backdrop, only one ferry was available to transport passengers and goods between Banjul and Barra.
On April 12, 2024, The Gambia Ferry Services also ceased operation of the Kanilai ferry, which was the only ferry functioning at the time. This was caused by an engine failure while travelling to the Barra. The GFS had to remove the ferry from service for swift and immediate repairs.
After several hours of trying to reach Barra Lander, the ferry carrying people drifted towards the beach and got stranded near The Gambia Fire and Rescue Service Barra Branch.
To rescue the stranded passengers on the ferry, an immediate response operation was launched by authorities from several agencies, such as the Chief of Staff, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Defence, Army General, Ports Management, National Disaster Management Agency, and boat owners to locate and transport the passengers safely.
Currently, there is no ferry service over the Banjul and Barra route due to the withdrawal of the Kanilai Ferry and the continuing maintenance of the Kunta Kinteh Ferry, which started last month. Due to the unforeseen occurrence, travellers are now forced to use boats to cross the Banjul-Barra route rather than incurring the time and expense of travelling across the Senegambia Bridge.
Passengers’ Ferry Experiences
There have been many reports of near-fatal ferry incidents in The Gambia. The reports encapsulate how unpleasant, risky, and terrifying the boats have been over a while. On Facebook, Isatou Keita described her experience while journeying to Barra due to the death of her friend’s mother. Here is the report on her terrifying journey.
On February 23, school children from Brikama visiting historical sites in the Provinces were stranded on the ferry at Barra.
A month before, passengers and crew on the Kanilai ferry also suffered a similar fate and were stranded for hours.
In September 2020, a video captured how stranded passengers, including women and children, were rescued mid-ocean. Such heartbreaking and life-threatening episodes have been the story in The Gambia. But has it always been like this?
The Gambia Ferry Services Company (GFSC) and political promises
The Gambia Ferry Services Company Ltd (GFSC) is incorporated under the Companies Act 2013 as a subsidiary of The Gambia Ports Authority, a public company created under the Ports Act 1972. Its mandate is to manage and provide all necessary marine and harbour facilities, cargo handling equipment, and storage, as well as to regulate, enhance, and carry out regular maintenance of the complex and to connect people across and along the river and other tributaries within the territorial waters of The Gambia.
Over the years, the company has operated at eight crossing points in Banjul, Kaur, Barajally, Janjanbureh, Bansang, Basse, and Fatoto. Moreover, in January 2019, it started operations at the Senegambia Bridge to install temporal toll collection facilities at both ends of the bridge, including ticketing points of sales, control and security mechanisms, and a management system for banking the proceeds.
Construction of ferries for The Gambia:
In 2017, The Kunta Kinteh ferry was commissioned by President Adama Barrow when he assumed office. However, its construction began in October 2016 by a Dutch company, ‘Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld,’ under the leadership of Former President Yahya Jammeh. It cost €9.3 million, including a five-year maintenance deal.
The ferry was built to accommodate around 2,000 people with 718 passenger seats, 27 cars, four trucks, and a 3-flow passenger deck with 5,000 life-saving jackets.
In his statement at the commissioning of the ferry, President Barrow reflected on the overwhelming challenges faced by his campaign team when crossing to the North Bank Region sometime in November 2016. However, during his campaign, he vowed to prioritise the transportation system for the people of North Bank and other settlements, which he had yet to fulfil after about seven years in office. Despite the political promises, the people of The Gambia have not been spared the scary.
Reaction from the public over the non-operation of ferries in The Gambia
On April 12, 2024, The Ministry of Information published a press release claiming that The Kanilai Ferry incident was “Due to adverse weather conditions.”
This, however, was not welcomed by many as civil society organisations, youth leaders, and the public expressed dismay at the ferry crisis.
On April 15, some concerned citizens came together and solicited a police permit for a peaceful protest against the non-operation of the ferries in the country. However, this was not granted based on security concerns and the scheduled Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit.
Meanwhile, the Serrekunda West Lawmaker, Madi Ceesay, attributed the continuous ferry crisis to a lack of proper government planning.
“It is 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, then that is where the problem lies,” he said. He stated that the purchase of a new ferry was long overdue, as reported by The Voice Newspaper.
Yusupha Kanagie Jawla Jr. took to his Facebook page to share his concerns and show discomfort towards the issue.
“Barrow, who vowed to have the Banjul-Barra ferry crossing point before 2026, seems to be a mere campaign rhetoric, a promise that falls on deaf ears,” he said.
Way Forward
Following these reactions from the public, The Gambia Ferry service has said they are actively working to ensure the maintenance of the ferries with a promise of quality service for commuters.
Conclusion
As the ferry crisis unfolds, the citizenry’s plight remains the same. The Gambia Ferry Services (GFS) has been urged to purchase ships of high quality that will endure and cease endangering the lives of the citizens. Many say this will provide The Gambians with the comfort they need when travelling, an experience they have desired and yearned for over the years.
The researcher produced this fact-check per the DUBAWA 2024 Kwame Karikari Fellowship, in partnership with PTV GAMBIA, to facilitate the spirit of “truth” in journalism and enhance media literacy.
