There is disquiet at the ferries amid suspicion the ministry of transport is planning to issue license to a private ferry service company.
Sources have told The Fatu Network how the ministry of transport is engaged in underhand plans to let a private company provide ferry service between Banjul and Barra.
One person familiar with the issue told The Fatu Network the transport ministry had first wanted for the Gambia Ports Authority Ferries Service to enter into a joint venture with a Turkish company. That plan has now been aborted – and the person said dozens of people who are aged 40 and above risked losing their jobs if such a venture is adopted.
Transport Ministry Permanent Secretary Mod K Ceesay told The Fatu Network on Thursday there is no joint venture on the table.
Mr Ceesay explained: “There is no joint venture on the table. The joint venture was on the recommendation ferries management and ports following a report that was submitted to us. This recognises, among others, that the ferries services in their situation at the moment and therefore quick intervention was required either from ferries, ports or from government. So we asked for help. Submissions were made in terms of joint venture partnership or partnership of any form. But after review, the management of ferries and ports felt this is bad and they pulled out and we respected that. So that is history.
“So if other companies are coming and saying ‘we still think the river is good and there is enough space for all of us to operate on our own, would you mind licensing us?’ That is a request they’re (company) is making which means we have moved from joint venture or partnership now to request for a license. What does a license to operate has to do with taking of the ferries, ferries [staff] losing their job?”
There are fears allowing a private company provide ferry service between Banjul and Barra will put the GPA Ferries Service out of service but PS Ceesay said those fears are misplaced.
He said: “That was the same the statement made when the Senegambia Bridge was being constructed. That if we construct the bridge, ferries will be killed. Providing ferry service and with the river Gambia and the number opportunities that exist in terms of river transportation. Why would opening up to private sector ferry operations necessarily spell the doom of a ferry? I don’t really get it.
“There are so many things [that the ferries can do]. Ferries can reform itself. But we have not even arrived at any position from ferries to tell us that a new entrance will kill them. Let’s have that on the records. But all I have to say is the government through the Ministry of Transport have the authority to entertain license and to issue license.”
On the issue of the ministry and the minister ordering Gambia Maritime Administration to issue a license to the Turkish company, Mr Ceesay said: “How can we force the hand of GMA by just asking them to receive applications, review and advise the ministry? Where is the forcing coming from? How is that a force? We are just doing what we are supposed to do. The rest are just speculation. That there are [personal] interests in it. That loss of jobs will happen… I don’t know what they are scared of but if they have concern let them bring it on the table we can sit over it. The minister of the ministry forcing anybody is far-fetched, that’s simply not true.”
