The Management of Gambia Ferry Services (GFS) has issued a press statement, a few hours after the incident was reported on social media, acknowledging that a certain 55-seater commercial bus bearing a Malian number got stuck on the Barra Terminal landing bridge and partly submerged into the waters.
According to the presser the incident happened around 11:30 am on Friday.
“A 55-seater bus with Malian No. BQ 2332 MB was at Barra Terminal due to technical deficiencies observed on the bus, it was denied boarding. The driver asked his team to push the bus to confirm the technical condition of the bus to prepare for the push that the bus veered towards the landing bridge and partly plunged into the waters because of malfunctioning brakes. There was only a driver with no passenger on board,” the GFS press statement explained how the incident happened.
GFS Management has also said that they are deploying swift efforts to remove the bus from its precarious position on the ramp, as they are currently mobilizing to engage the services of cranes in Banjul and Barra to address the problem and resume services in a “few hours” time.
But how soon will the problem be resolved to ensure free movement of persons and goods along the Banjul-Barra corridor, as the distraught passengers stranded at both ends of the River decry the deplorable conditions of the Ferry system while calling for a system overhaul at the Company?
“We apologize for any inconveniences caused to the traveling public,” the GFS Management expressed remorse over the disruption in service delivery.
