The controversial NASSIT ferry which plies the route from Freetown to the coastal town of Tagrin has been grounded.
Inside sources told Politico that SIERRA FERRIES was "indefinitely" taken off the sea in December following advice from the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) and the Office of National Security (ONS) that its seaworthiness and the safety of passengers could no longer be guaranteed. This, after it had drifted or stalled on a number of occasions.
However, our investigations show that the ferry was still rented out on 28 December for an excursion, to a group called Joy Makers who allegedly paid Le 14 million without the approval of the SLMA and ONS.
Some staff working for the ferry also said that they were not paid their December salary, and that they had been asked to go home "indefinitely".
When contacted for his reaction, the General Manager of SIERRA FERRIES, Cobina Yankson, said the matter was under investigation and that he had been queried by the SLMA as to why he did not adhere to the grounding instruction. He also confirmed that salaries of staff had not been paid, adding that there was a meeting scheduled today with the Board Chairman on the matter.
The SIERRA FERRIES is one of two boats procured under controversial circumstances by the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) after what were believed to be unseaworthy vessels, for a cost that was deemed suspect. Hundreds of thousands of dollars was spent on its repairs in Senegal which was also questioned. The kingpins in the purchase, including the then head of NASSIT and currently the Financial Secretary, Edmond Koroma avoided being charged with corruption for an out-of-court settlement after they had apparently agreed to pay Le 500 million each to the Anti Corruption Commission. The whereabouts of the second ferry are unclear.
(C) Politico 07/01/14
