Hundreds of stranded passengers including businesspeople, students, and weekend goers have been left with no option than to either opt for wooden boats or abandon their trips, as both ferries plying on the waters broke down concurrently.

The breakdown of both Kunta Kinteh and Kanilai ferries on Thursday evening has left scores of passengers abandoning their journey, which continued on Friday. 

Ida Mbye, a passenger, told Gambiana: “Things are so hard here because the boats are charging 100 dalassi per person while charging 50dalasis on their materials. We have been here for so long and some were forced to abandon their journey.”

 “I cannot accept any excuse that the port should say the ferries are broken down. They should have at least a ferry on standby for any emergency, because as you can see people are coming in numbers to cross to Barra. The government should help provide new ferries to ease the burden of travelling in the waters,” Sheikh Cham said.

Jaba Saine added: “this is not safe to board on the boats in this wind, and you have old people, women and children onboard. The authorities should look into the issue of the ferry and quickly address these problems. This is unacceptable. How can two ferries break down concurrently? I am urging the president to look into the matters happening at the ports because this is not acceptable.”

However, the Gambia Ferry Service has apologised for the breakdown of the two ferries.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba