By Ralph Sesay From Yargoi
Sierra Leone Maritime only representative at Yagoi wharf in the Imperi Chiefdom has told nightwatch that the post is challenged by Safety, Communication and manpower challenges.
Mustapha Bawoh disclosed that, the Yagoi wharf has vessels plying to Bonthe and several islands like Bohol, Tengesa, Delken, Tombay etc.
Mr. Bawoh says the maritime post lacks the necessary logistics such as a search and rescue boat and communication equipment to manage the activities of these vessels as they ply the routes from Yargoi to other islands including Bonthe.
He stated that, their duty at the populous wharf is to schedule boats that plies through the various islands,manifest passengers and also ensure that vessels leaving for Bonthe, other islands and the Republic of Guinea have water,knife,sand bags and life jackets for passengers.
As most islands communities in the country where we have landing sites the highly commercially viable Yagoi wharf is hugely neglected in terms of appropriately deploying the necessary manpower and equipments to effectively police the movement of vessels and passengers on sea.
It is reported that, the only personnel deployed at the area is overwhelmed in terms of ensuring that vessels and passengers have all prerequisites before leaving Yagoi for other islands communities.
Yagoi wharf is strategically located commercially with cross island trade between neighboring island communities.
Many residents of the town interviewed stated that, most vessels that leave the wharf for nearby island communities including Bonthe are hugely overloaded.
Others are also reported to leave very late with no manifest against the established rules at most landing sites.
The site at Yagoi only has on Navy Military personnel and another from the Financial Intelligence Services Unit (FISU).