Truck drivers and commuters utilising the ferry services from Region Two to Region Four and return are calling on the relevant authorities within the Ministry of Public Works to speed up the fixing of the Sabanto ferry.
While travellers have reported that the boat schedule is very prompt and reliable, they have also complained that one of the Chinese ferries, the “Sabanto”, is running on one engine only. Persons utilising the service explained that it has been almost one month since this is happening and despite several complaints, the issue is yet to be resolved.
This situation has become a source of frustration for the business community in Region Two since many of them have deadlines to meet in terms of delivery. With the boat only moving on one engine it takes approximately 4 hours to reach Supenaam and almost half hour to moor.
“This is real pressure; you see people does hire us to deliver things we have deadline to meet. Now when you book a boat you don’t know which one you will get, now if the schedule fall that you have to get Sabanto then your journey is lengthened to almost four hours when in 90 minutes we supposed to reach,” a truck driver related.
According to the drivers, the issue is a “simple” one that requires the services of a mechanic to be fixed. The issue they explained is that the gear box was damaged in one of Sabanto’s engines. The matter was reported by the captain to the relevant authorities but to date it has not been fixed and it is inconveniencing many persons.
A truck driver stated that there are mechanics willing to fix it but questioned who is going to pay them.
“There are capable mechanics out there ready to fix it but then all we heard that approval must be given from the chief for almost one month and the chief did not give approval. Many people depend on this as a livelihood and this is a real inconvenience”, another driver related.
Passengers, especially those who have appointments, are now afraid to book the ferry since they do not know if they will get the boat with the “one engine”. As such they are questioning how much longer will this go on especially since hundreds of persons depend on the service on a daily basis.
The business community and the passengers are therefore calling on the Ministry of Public Works to investigate the matter and ensure that the issue be rectified as soon as possible.
