The Native Consortium & Research Center has called on the Ministry of Transport and the Sierra Leone Public Transport Authority (SLPTA) to enforce a 20% reduction in inter-town boat fares within Bonthe District, citing the recent fall in fuel prices.
In a statement dated 10th August 2025, the group’s CEO, Edmond Abu, said the case of Bonthe — the home district of President Julius Maada Bio and Speaker of Parliament Dr. Abass Bundu — illustrates how the ministry’s alleged inaction is undermining passengers’ rights.
According to the Consortium, fares set during the fuel price peak of Le 30 per litre have not been adjusted despite the drop to Le 24–Le 25 per litre. They argue that the reduction should be reflected immediately in sea transport costs.
Proposed new fares include:
• Bonthe to Mattru: from Le 100 to Le 80
• Bonthe to Yagoi: from Le 50 to Le 40
• Bonthe to Bendu Cha or Tengisa: from Le 30 to Le 24
• Bonthe to York Island: from Le 25 to Le 20
• Bonthe to Momaya: from Le 50/Le 40 to Le 40/Le 32 (depending on the boat)
• Bonthe to Gbodapie: from Le 250 to Le 200
• Bonthe to Gbap/Gbagbatoke/Titibo/Mattru: from Le 100 to Le 80
The Consortium warned that if the Ministry of Transport fails to act, passengers will be encouraged to calculate the 20% reduction themselves and pay the lower fares directly.
“We will not allow the Ministry to undermine other coastal districts or riverine inter-town boat fares in Kambia, Port Loko, Moyamba, and Pujehun,” Abu said, adding that the Bonthe case is being used as a test for wider enforcement.
The Ministry of Transport has not yet responded to the statement.
By Fatmata Kamara
