“Increment in Ferry fares is due to high operational costs” Says GPA PRO

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By Sailu Bah Mr. Ansumana Gibba, the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the Gambia Ports FerryAuthority (GPA), said the increases in ferry tariff which came into effect on 1 January 2015 is due to the high cost of fuel, hydraulic oil and other operational costs.The GPA PRO said this in an interview in his office on Monday, 5 January 2015. He said each of the ferries uses at least 10,000 litres of fuel per week for its operation. According to Mr. Gibba, the tariff was last increased in 2008 and which is now seven years. “There are lots of costs attached to the operation of the ferries which people don’t actually know. But it is indeed a lot of money that is spent on the ferries. It is therefore normal to increase the fares in order to be able to meet our operational costs,” he said. On when the other ferries will start operation as there is only one operating now, the GPA PRO said the ferry called Kanilai which is under maintenance will soon join Johe to service the Banjul-Barra route. He expressed hope that the ferry will start operation by the end of the month.]]>