Passengers using the Banjul and Barra route have urged Gambia Ferry Services (GFS) to purchase ships of high quality that will endure and cease endangering the lives of passengers.
Due to an engine breakdown that occurred on Friday, April 12, 2024, close to the turning buoy while travelling to the Barra Lander, the Gambia Ferry Services had to immediately remove the Kanilai Ferry from service in order to conduct repairs.

After several hours of trying to go from Banjul to the Barra Lander, the ferry eventually drifted towards the beach and got stranded close to the Gambia Fire and Rescue Service Barra Brach.
As a result, authorities from several agencies, including the Chief of Staff, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Defence, Army General, Ports Management, National Disaster Management Agency, and boat owners, hurried to the scene to save lives.

There is currently no ferry service over the Banjul and Banjul 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 unanticipated circumstance, travellers are now forced to use boats to cross the Banjul-Barra route rather than incurring the time and expense of travelling across the Senrgambia Bridge.
Traveller Modou Njie claimed that it had been years since he had travelled the Banjul and Barra route by boat. He added that circumstances compelled him to do so because he needed to be with his kids to make sure they celebrated Eid-ul Fitr with their family in the North Bank Region.

He admitted that it might be dangerous and difficult for a family to cross by boat because not everyone has the guts to get into the boats.

As a result, he made a request that the Gambia Ferry Services and the government of The Gambia take immediate action to correct the problem.

He claimed that a large number of individuals would like to travel to the North Bank Region for personal errands and other commercial purposes but are unable to do so due to the ferries’ unavailability.

He went on, “I was really scared joining the same boat with my children,” adding that they might have all perished in the event of a calamity.

For the good of all, he pleaded with the government to build new, long-lasting “quality ferries” or build a bridge between Barra and Banjul.

Yassin Jawara, who likewise travelled the Barra and Bajul route with her whole family, stated that it is too costly and difficult to travel with a family.

She continued, saying that using a boat to cross is dangerous.My child sobbed all the way from Barra to Banjul.

Another frequent traveller, Alieu Bah, pleaded with the authorities to build new ships or build a bridge to connect Barra and Banjul.

“When we cross by boat, we suffer a lot. The people that live in Nuimi and Badibu suffer the most in the nation. Imagine carrying women, children, and the elderly on and off the boats. He grumbled, “Most of the time, our clothing are dirty before we get to our destinations.

Another regular passenger, Sainabou Faye, claimed that the daily revenue generated by Gambia ship Services could finance the purchase of a new ship every six months.

Travellers’ lives are not valued by The Gambia Ferry Services. They are in function because of us. We’ve put up enough patience with them; it’s about time they respected our right to a dignified passage and our lives,” she asked.