There are two prominent ferry services in the East of the Country, one that links the people of Wandor and Gorama Mende Chiefdoms to that of Simbaru Chiefdoms across the Sewa River between Gawama in Simbaru; and Gawama in Wandor Chiefdoms in the Kenema District and also across the Moa River between Manowa and Pendembu in the Kailahun District.
The ferry is used to convey traders, passengers including heavy and light vehicles plying the route between Manowa and Pendembu in the Kailahun District and Wandor and Simbaru Chiefdoms in the Kenema Districts.
In an interview with Awoko, workers at the Manowa Ferry have voiced concern over the careless attitude of some authorities in addressing the problem of the aging machine that is fixed to the ferry.
They disclosed that during the height of the raining season they would stop the services of the ferry because of the high current in the water; but when the water level subsides they frequently used the ferry manually which sometimes take between ten to fifteen minutes to go across the river at a time.
They stressed that the machine attached to the ferry is just furniture as it has been out of operation for months due to lack of maintenance and fuel.
They called on the government, NGOs and stakeholders in the District to do more in improving the state of the ferry, before it ceases to operate, as it is the life line of people in that area. The operators also dismissed the claim that the cord used to pull the ferry across the river is faulty.
They disclosed that every day they ferry not less than thirty motor bikes per day some times about fifty.
When asked about their salary they said it is regular and alright for now.
By Saffa Moriba in Kenema
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