Contrary to the pessimism many anti-APC individuals have expressed over the two ferries recently bought by the Management of NASSIT to alleviate the sea transportation problem between the metropolis and the Lungi community, the fact of the matter is that the ferries are in good order ready to operate fully, according to recent findings adduced by journalists who were taken on a conducted tour aboard the two ferries past Friday.

NASSIT invited journalists from various media Institutions to witness the viability of the two ferries recently bought by the institution namely MV Bai Bureh and MV Masiemera in order to dispel the negative propaganda which the opposition front is openly characterized with regarding the suitability and sea-worthiness of the two ferries.

In his address, the Acting Director-General of NASSIT Mr. Gibril Saccoh maintained that both ferries are in proper working condition but stressed that the delay to put them in operation was owing to the consideration given to safety measures which should be ensured simply because the Management is committed to protecting life and property.

The Acting Director-General also revealed that refurbishment was recently done on the two ferries, adding that the ferries are fully insured and that Lloyds Company released 145 page-report pointing out that the mechanical structure is fine but emphasized that the issues of safety and emergency have not been properly addressed. 

Based on this issue, the NASSIT's Acting Director-General intimated journalists of the reason why the ferries have not been officially commissioned to operate fully. This, he said, is as a result of the intrinsic fact that the safety of passengers must be properly ensured.  

He also dilated on the fact that life jackets were not provided by the firms from whom the ferries were bought stressing that as an institution geared towards the safety of the general public, they were determined to put safety measures in place before the operation of the ferries.

This, the Acting NASSIT boss stressed, have been the reason why the ferries have not been put into full operation contrary to the castigations by SLPP tabloids that they are not in good working conditions

He disclosed further to journalists about the issue of the landing sites of the ferries, stating that very recently NASSIT gave the Sierra Leone Ports Authority Management funds to construct two jetties but as at time of briefing those two projects have not been completed.

"Though the two ferries are in proper working order, it is only when the official protocols are observed and adhered to bordering on safety situations and implementation of the recommendations that they will become fully operational - meaning that the ferries are in place to be run commercially dispelling the propaganda that they are not workable", Acting Director-General concluded in his address to a battery of journalists that were taken aboard the two ferries past Friday.