The Gambia Ferry Services Disaster
LETTER OF CONDOLENCE AND SYMPATHY
The Gambia Consultative Council (GCC) expresses condolence and deep sympathy for the loss of life and injuries sustained from the disastrous Banjul-Barra Ferry Terminal accident, which occurred Sunday, January 2, 2014. GCC extends condolences to the families and friends of the Belgian national who lost her life, to all those injured in the accident, as well as other survivors and the entire people of The Gambia.
This is the worst disaster on the Banjul-Barra ferry crossing in recent memory. This sad incident occurred despite repeated public outcry over the past six months over the poor state of the ferry services plying in that important cultural and economic corridor linking the capital Banjul to neighbouring Senegal and the northern part of the Gambia. The regime has continued to ignore repeated warning about the poor state of the ferry services, which prompted a former Gambian technocrat to describe the state of the ferry services as “floating coffins.” GCC notes with sadness the loss of life of a Belgian female tourist and wishes to extend profound sympathy and regret over this loss of life. This disaster could have been prevented if the regime in Banjul heeded the public outcry and the need to put in service new rather than refurbished ferries on an important economic and tourist artery of north Gambia and neighbouring Senegal. As long as the ferries which were decommissioned and banned from service in Europe remain in service in Gambia, the risk of further loss of life will remain an issue of concern for Gambians.
During these sad days, GCC urges Gambians at home and in the diaspora to express solidarity with the Gambian people and to further join efforts to extend moral and financial support to those affected by the unmitigated disaster. Our prayers and thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this dreadful disaster.
God bless the Gambia and the people of Belgium on this sad occasion.
Signed
Dr. Sedat Jobe
President, GCC
January 5th, 2014