Last Thursday, a delegation comprising The Gambia Press Union (GPU), Sam Sarr Managing Editor of Foroyaa Newspaper and Amadou Wuyeh Manga first vice president of the sports journalists association visited the family of the late Lamin A. Darboe, teacher cum sports journalist at Bakindick in Lower Niumi district, North Bank Region.The late Lamin A. Darboe who is said to be 33 years old drowned at the Barra Ferry Terminal on Saturday 20th November 2010 with his vehicle as he was being directed by a Gambia Ports Authority(GPA) staff to park his vehicle for the second time.
His death body was recovered the following day, Sunday and was laid to rest on Monday 22nd November 2010 at the Old Jeshwang cemetery.
Receiving the delegation, Ba Ansu Darboe, father of the late Lamin Darboe expressed gratitude to the role played by the media fraternity of the country as news of his son’s death spread like a wild fire across the length and breadth of The Gambia.
According to the old man, when he first heard the news, he could not believe it as his son was not complaining of any sickness or any other thing like that but was quick to add that it was Allah who gave them Lamin Darboe and it was the same Allah who took him away from them.
Ba- Ansu described his son as someone very respectful, hardworking, trustworthy, and obedient and above all a devout Muslim.
“If I want to say all his good characters here, we will be here the whole day. Lamin is someone who really loved his people and will go the extra mile to satisfy them,” he said.
He further said that his family will stand shoulder to shoulder with all the relevant authorities to see that justice is done in the interest of all.
The old man who at one point broke into tears together with some family members said if the Ports Authority had put in place proper precautionary measures, the late Lamin A. Darboe’s incident would have been a different story today.
He spoke at length how the family will miss Lamin and the vacuum he left behind but quick to add again that Allah the creator and the merciful will be there for them.
Ba-Ansu finally prayed for the departed soul of Lamin and the souls of all those who have departed to rest in perfect peace.
From the family house, the delegation proceeded to visit the six class room block constructed by Lamin and his white partner. The school taught children Arabic and English up to grade six.
Yaya Minteh, the head of the Arabic section described the demise of Lamin A. Darboe as a big lost not only to his family but to the entire country.
He recalled the days when Lamin and his partner first decided to sponsor the construction of the school at their village as a memorable one.
Minteh also expressed his gratitude to the media fraternity in the country for their solidarity and maturity demonstrated towards the family of Lamin during these difficult moments.
Other village elders, who were present during our visit, expressed similar sentiments.
Banjul Ferry Terminal
We crossed with the Barra ferry and it took us one hour, fifteen minutes to anchor at Barra. From 12pm to 1:15pm. And I observed that the ferry had no barriers but chains welded both at the front and back of the ferry. The question now is how strong are those chains to prevent vehicles from tipping over? Why chains and how long should the chains last.?
On our way back
At the Barra crossing point, we boarded the ‘Johe’ ferry and it took us one hour thirty minutes to reach Banjul. From 6:19pm to 7: 30 pm.
‘Johe’ is provided with barriers both at the front and back. But the same question is how strong are the barriers and how long can they last?
Infact shortly before ‘Johe’ anchored, it swung and a loud bang was heard. And I realised that one of the engines next to me went off for a while before it got started again. It is not clear what went wrong. e disembarked safely from the ferry without our driver who was left stranded with our vehicle at the Barry terminal due to the long queue of vehicles waiting to cross.
Sam Sarr, managing editor of Foroyaa Newspaper on behalf of the delegation later handed over a token of D2,500 to the family of the late Lamin A. Darboe.
Source: Daily News
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