Fatmata Sesay, a trader in fresh farm produce from Lungi, has said on Monday June 8, 2020, that the reduction of Ferry trips to three runs a week has impeded the quick movement of trade goods to markets in Freetown.
Sesay said that their produce go bad when they fail to access the ferry. She added that it is now a usual thing for traders to spend a whole day at the ferry terminal and yet not be able to transport their goods across the estuary.
She added that sometimes after striving unsuccessfully for a whole day to do the crossing they sometimes return home with their goods very dejected, without any sales because only one Ferry currently operates and its timing is very unreliable.
She further stated that the increase in the fare to board the M.V. Mahera negatively affecting them. He added that they previously bought one ticket at Le 6,000 but now they are paying Le 20,000 and sometimes Le 25,000 for one ticket.
“We are calling on the government and the management of the Ferry to purchase another ferry, reduce the transportation fare, increase the number of trips per week in order for us to run our businesses effectively,” Sesay pleaded.
Jonathan fortune aka Pot Cover, a comedian who entertains passengers during the crossing, informed Premier News that, when operation of the ferry was normal, he made a living and supported his family. But added, “The reduction of passengers and rescheduling of the Ferry have hampered our performances and our survival.”
Alusine Daramy, the General Manager for the Mahera and the Great Scarcies Company, said that the Emergency operation Centre (EOC) in Lungi once met with its counterpart in Freetown and discussed the possibility of the Ferry doing five runs a week in order to allow traders in Lungi to transport their perishable goods.
Manager Daramy said that, in order to reduce the pressure at the terminal, they resolved in that meeting to start operating five trips a week, which would start soon.
By Ibrahim S.Bangura
12/6/2020. ISSUE NO.: 7844