CEO Jaji
By zainab.joaque@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – The new SEACOACH ferry service between Aberdeen, Freetown and Kaloum, Conakry- Guinea will commence passenger services next Friday 25th November 2022 with four return services weekly.
Morning services will commence at the Aberdeen terminal at 8:00am arriving in Conakry three hours later, with outward runs from Sandervalia, Kaloum at 3:30pm on Monday, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
SEACOACH Company will open their Aberdeen terminal international wing with all government agencies required to operate a national gateway such as customs, immigration, security and health services. These agencies will process travelling passengers going or coming into the country.
Chief Executive Officer of SEACOACH, Olusegun Jaji, said that his company started this process three years ago but they ran into a lot of difficulties and those challenges encountered is evidence to show why no one did it in recent times, but finally they have succeeded with the help of a lot of companies.
The company he said has recently obtained all the necessary licenses and documents, and constructed their own jetties in Conakry even though with challenges, they surmounted many obstacles but finally they are at a point where they can start.
“By air is very fast but a bit limited in supply with only one aircraft to Conakry and very expensive. The sea option is much cheaper, flexible, reliable and readily available and we intend to provide the SEACOACH reliable service to all passengers that choose our service” said CEO Jaji.
He appreciated their partnership with Société Naval Guinéenne, the company he said, have a beautiful facility in Conakry and that is where the vessel will be landing in Sandervalia, Kaloum.
CEO Jaji, went on to thank the President for the enabling environment to operate, the Ministry of Transport and other Agencies, especially Maritime Administration for their assistance in guiding SEACOACH in their acquisition of all licences, the root mapping, inspection and certification of the vessel.
This is not the first time a vessel is operated in the country running this route, before the civil war there was a vessel called Madam Monique, “it was slow but now we are doing it with a modern vessel that takes three hours, very comfortable” and they intend to serve refreshment on the way.
“I want to thank my staff whose dedication is unmatched. We are a complete service company as we have our own jetties, we have our own boats, we drive our boats and we manage them. It is a complete service we are offering. We believe we can do it competently by serving the people by connecting these two cities” he said. “This service will not only help improve business relations with the two countries but it will also create jobs, help stimulate the economy, because business people can now go there and come back easily rather than going by road and spend a day going and another coming.”
The need for an alternative option of travel between the two countries CEO Jaji said cannot be overemphasized as the current options of going by road is long (6 hours or more) and can be stressful and risky while traveling by Air is expensive and limited in supply. Travelling by sea, therefore, becomes a good option, as it is fast affordable and reliable.
“This ease of movement will increase tourism, help open up the country for investments and further boost the relations of sister countries within the Mano River Union. ZIJ/17/11/2022