Boat operators plying the sea route, offloading at the neglected tourist site and monument of King Jimmy Harbour have said they need to be heard during Luma business hours at the harbour. Captain Adekalie M. Bangura of the Tarawunnie (meaning ‘one needs to know another’) boat said low passengers due to COVID-19 see them only loading 20 passengers during Luma market days. Narrating his experience, he said business is not as good as before because of the pandemic, adding they still charge Le10,000 and Le20,000 per person.
Bangura said they lack sufficient and adequate sea jackets, something that has to do with life and death. Sometimes, he said they rescue people in unforeseen accidents through the standing rope, disclosing they rescue up to ten persons by drawing of the standing rope. He said they need new operation machines, as the ones they have are old, and called on government to come to their aid and provide them with a loan scheme to enable them purchase new 40-horsepower Jamawa machines, which lasts longer with proper maintenance.
The captain also called on all tourism stakeholders and partners to come onboard and help improve their livelihood with local tourism. Chairlady of Lungi market women’s association, Nya-bom Sesay, said they normally bring goods to the King Jimmy wharf on the usual Luma business days, but face a lot of constraints when there are leftover goods as they still go to the extreme to pay for the remaining goods and preserve some of the perishable goods. The electricity for such an activity is another challenge, she added.
She said despite the pandemic, they get lots of customers for their goods and appreciate them. “Though the number of customers was more than what it is now we do appreciate our customers as they always come for business doing Luma. We are still following the preventive measures put in place by the government and health workers.” For Kadie Conteh she said governments only think about them during election, but after they are voted in they go back to their difficulties and excuses from leaders.
Meanwhile, Maritime’s ‘Isata’ said she is not mandated to speak or say anything on behalf of Maritime. Luma days at the wharf are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
By Mohamed Samba Kamara