Participants slept at Ankify to await their turn. Ankify port has been overwhelmed since last Sunday. At least three hundred vehicles, including Sprinter minibuses, used the ferry in less than two days starting Monday. Long queues of cars and traffic jams formed in front of the port, waiting to board. Everyone wanted to go first. An unprecedented influx at this major port.
Transport rates for vehicles on the ferries have also increased, causing major disruptions around the port in recent days. Young participants and users faced significant price speculation. Rates climbed to 500,000 ariary for a one-way Sprinter trip, compared to 400,000 ariary for minibuses or shorter vehicles.
All-terrain vehicles or 4x4s had to pay 200,000 ariary for the crossing to Nosy Be. Fares for passengers on a speedboat or ferry were 8,000 ariary per person, versus 20,000 ariary per person on a hull or speedboat. Those using semi-fast catamarans paid 15,000 ariary per person. Maritime shuttles and ferries operated continuously at Ankify to ensure the crossing of thousands of participants.
Other latecomers slept on site Tuesday night, waiting to reach Nosy Be. "A committee was set up to organize transport for young participants in boats. Solutions were taken to resolve the problem. Regarding site security, phone numbers are available and law enforcement elements are mobilized in case of incident. All valuables and money must be secured," said Pasteur Tsiriniaina Rabarijaona, national president of the youth branch of STK within FJKM.