Transport fares in Kombo South should reduce

Editor,

It's very hard and discouraging for one to be living in Kombo South, especially in Kartong, and coming to work daily in Serekunda or Banjul. An average Southerner cannot afford it due to cost of transport fares. It is very sad for one to be traveling from Kartong to Serekunda paying D32 when less than five years ago the fare was about D20.

I remember just recently I inviting one of my friends to a traditional ceremony in Kartong, but he could not make it when I announced to him that the fare is 64 dalasi, to and fro. Guess what he said. "Kartong here"!! It is true that transport fares may be increased periodically by national transport control association for one genuine reason or the other. But the nature of the fares to Kombo South is a serious matter. This is due to the fact that this area used to experiencing bad road network which may be said to have prompted drivers of the area to increase the fares. No body complained then because we knew we had  bad roads.

However, thanks to the intervention of this government, we can now boast of the best road network in this country (Kombo Coastal Road), but still this good road network does not seem to be making any change. But it is important for those involved in the transport industry to note that we are entitled to enjoying the benefit of having such a facility, and it should be in the for of reduction in cost of transport.

It is sad to see that drivers continue to charge as if they stiil drive on that bad road they used to know. They continue to increase fare each time there are general fare increment in the country. I am suggesting that about 2 to 3 dalasi on the fare from Serekunda to Gunjur should be deducted.

It's there because we once had bad road, this is no more. 2 to 3 dalasi should also be reduced from Brikama to Gunjur. It's there because we used to have bad roads, this is again no more. 2 dalasi should also be reduced from Gunjur to Kartong as it has also been there because we used to have bad roads. Similar deductions should be applied to other areas in this region.

I am therefore calling on the village development committees of the affected areas to come together and form a body not just to solve this problem but also further strengthen the already good relationship the people of this area have for one another. The formation of this body will further enhance the development of the area as committees can serve as advisers with regards to certain key issues.

This body should in this regard liaise with the National Transport Control Association to bring this fare down. The NTCA should also republish the cost of the transport fares in other part of the country as you may witness an apprentice and a passenger arguing over a dalasi, with each claiming to be right. I am sorry! A dalasi may sound small for some, but, say, ten of its kind is something big you know.

fabumanneh@yahoo.co.uk