afrol News, 3 November - Forty-one years after independence, a majority of Gambians still live in darkness, as their country's respective governments could not provide stable power supply. Indeed, power outages are becoming an increasing problem, while national electricity needs are not of a large scale.

The Gambia's newly re-elected President said his government's pre-occupation would be to supply 24 hour adequate and uninterrupted electricity within six month.

According to experts, The Gambia needs only a 28 megawatts generator to make electricity accessible to its entire population.

President Yayah Jammeh admitted that his twelve-year regime had failed to do-away with the country's epileptic power supply, despite pumping over US$ 36 million in the sector. He said the trend must change because lack of sufficient energy supply retards development in a country as well as discourages investors.

Mr Jammeh said the short supply in electricity had for example prevented a textile firm - that would have created a very large number of jobs - from establishing in the impoverished country.

A new body - the Global Management System - has taken over the energy sector from the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC). President Jammeh asked the new body to make electricity affordable to at least one thousand consumers a month.

After signing an agreement with The Gambia government, a representative of Global Management System said within few months, power blackouts were to be eradicated in the country.

Since 1994, Jammeh had promised to solve The Gambia's epileptic electricity supply. However, this is far from reality, as electricity supply still remains very inadequate, thus scaring investors from entering into the productive sector.

The Gambian President said he had always been bothered by the erratic nature of the country's electricity supply. He sometimes blames engineers at the national power station for causing problems to the generators. "Next time I don't expect to be told that a black dog causes breakdown of machines through meddling," President Jammeh had earlier warned while commissioning an engine.

In the past, several directors of NAWEC have had their services terminated, accused of not ensuring electricity supply. Critics say they were only scapegoats of President Jammeh's failure to invest in the sector.

Engulfed with fury, Mr Jammeh has moved the government's energy port-folio to his office. Yet, the electricity supply remains problematic on a daily basis and the Banjul government keeps signing deals with foreign companies.

The Gambia's energy bill is rank among the highest in the region. Despite this and the failure to secure stable supplies in urban and industrial areas, the government has embarked on a rural electrification programme. "How can a Gambian farmer who battle with survival afford to pay expensive energy bills?" asked a critic.

According to local media reports, Mr Jammeh led a crowd of dancers in June to cheer the arrival of three 6.5 MVA generators in Banjul. This impromptu procession halted the traffic, with a column of vehicles seen stranded along the main highway linking the capital Banjul with the outside world.



By Musa Saidykhan

© afrol News

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