The Sierra Leone Ports Authority and the maritime administration have expressed dissatisfaction and dismay over the stubbornness of some trawler owners who are still using the Government Wharf ferry terminal as harbour.
According to a release from the Sierra Leone maritime administration, despite several warnings to stop the practice by trawler owners using the Government Wharf as harbour they haven’t yet complied with that order.
It noted that a couple of months ago a trawler sunk at the Government Wharf ferry terminal and that the Sierra Leone Ports Authority and the maritime administration had to secure the services of an international wrecks clearing company to remove the wrecked trawler.
Recently Awoko visited the Government Wharf and observed that trawlers could still be seen docked very close to the ferry terminal.
An official at the maritime administration disclosed that some trawlers were involved in clandestine activities such as trafficking of drugs and prostitutes.
He also lamented that the maritime administration could not “properly monitor our territorial waters to determine whether the trawlers and vessels harbouring at sea close to the Government Wharf ferry terminal are given the authority to do so”.
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