NONG OA, GUINEA – A high-level Sierra Leonean government delegation on Thursday crossed into Guinea to meet Guinean authorities over the deadly boat accident at the Yenga-Nongoa border crossing that claimed three Sierra Leonean lives.
The delegation was led by Resident Minister East, Hon. Engineer Fallah Tengbeh, and included Assistant Inspector General of Police East, Joe Kamanda Bongay, Brigade Commander East, Brigadier General G.M. Bangura, ONS District Security Coordinator, Josephine Wuya Fatorma, Paramount Chief of Kissi Teng Chiefdom, Emmanuel Nyuma Ganawa III, and other senior stakeholders from Kailahun.
The delegation was received by Guinean local authorities, security personnel and traditional leaders in Nongoa for a joint review of the incident, in which a boat carrying traders across the Makona River capsized, killing two children and a 70-year-old woman. Thirty-one passengers survived, while three remain missing.
In the meeting, Guinean officials briefed the Sierra Leonean side that preliminary investigation shows mechanical failure caused the accident. They confirmed the boat operator is now in custody and will be questioned.
Both sides admitted that the total number of passengers is still an estimate, as there is no passenger manifest at the crossing and some survivors went straight to safety or medical care without being counted.
The discussions focused on three issues – establishing the cause, confirming the passenger count, and agreeing on urgent safety recommendations.
Paramount Chief Ganawa expressed serious concern about the deplorable condition of boats operating on the crossing. Guinean authorities pledged to strengthen oversight and urged communities to report unseaworthy boats and illegal operators.
As part of immediate measures, Resident Minister Tengbeh signed an agreement with Guinean officials to prioritise the use of ferries over small wooden boats and to work towards making ferry fares affordable for traders, particularly women who dominate cross-border commerce.
ONS Coordinator Fatorma used the meeting to renew calls for the construction of the long-proposed Peace Bridge across the Makona River, describing it as the only permanent solution to end recurring tragedies.
AIG Bongay extended condolences to the bereaved families on behalf of the Sierra Leone Police, while Brigade Commander Bangura emphasised the historic brotherly ties between the two countries and pledged continued security cooperation.
Guinean authorities assured the delegation of full collaboration in the ongoing search for the missing persons and in establishing the full facts of the accident.
