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Unofficial closure of Senegal-Gambia border continues after ferry accident
Tuesday, 03 May 2011 11:53
(PANA) - The stand-off between the Gambia National Trade Union Congress and Senegalese Transport Union
following the sinking of a Senegalese truck at a ferry crossing point in Gambia continued on Monday although Gambia says it has paid the required compensation for the accident. The Secretary General of The Gambia National Trade Union Congress, Mr. Ebrima Garba Cham, told PANA that all the demands of the Senegalese Transport Union had been met but the “unofficial” closure of the border to vehicles continued. Both governments have not announced that the borders have been closed. The 'closure' affects only the movement of vehicles and goods while the movement of people is not restricted.The Senegalese Union decided to impose a blockade, restricting the movement of vehicles across the border after a Senegalese truck loaded with cement went down in Gambian waters in February 2011.
Mr. Cham explained that the truck went down while driving onto the ferry at the Yeli Tenda-Bamba Tenda.
The Gambia Ports Authority paid 12 million CFA to the Senegalese Transport Union as compensation for the accident.
Cham said the Senegalese union had confirmed that its demands for compensation had been met, but was now complaining about the numerous police check points in The Gambia and the harassments of their members by Gambian police.
He also noted that the Senegalese truckers had other complaints such as the Gambian officials giving priority at ferry crossing points to Gambiam vehicles and overcharging Senegalese trucks that knocked down electricity poles during accidents.
“There is a hidden agenda behind the blockade, but efforts are ongoing with our counterparts in Senegal to ensure that the border is reopened as soon as possible,” Cham said.
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