(JollofNews) – The construction of the first OMVG hydro-electric power station, connecting communities from Jarra Soma, Lower River Region to Brikama, West Coast Region, will be launched in early 2019, officials reveal.
Following a closed-door discussion with His Excellency, President Adama Barrow at the State House in Banjul, Antonio Serifo Embalo, Chairman, Council of Ministers of the Gambia River Basin Development Project (OMVG in French) announced that the president has accepted to lay the foundation stone for the project in Jarra Soma.
Chairman Embalo expressed optimism that the project would have a significant impact on the economic progress of member countries: “This project lies at the heart of the industrialization of the member countries as power is key to development. Energy is also part of the five flagship programmes of the Gambia’s development blueprint (NDP 2018-2021)”.
The OMVG head said his discussion with President Barrow also centered around the 11th Ordinary Session of the Conference of the Heads of Government of OMVG member states which will be hosted in The Gambia, revealing that the timing coincides with the inauguration of the TransGambia Bridge in January.
President Barrow has given assurance that he will take it up with his counterparts for the OMVG organization to continue receiving financial support from member countries towards its effective functioning.
Under the first phase of the electricity project, 70MW of energy would be distributed in The Gambia through two substations in Jarra Soma and Brikama.
To whom it may concern: I noticed different titles to the above Heading that included Foni as a beneficiary of the Electricity grid that is proposed to be built or installed. I must admit that I noticed it on the day of the publication and now Foni is not mentioned in any of the versions of the Story especially, the Title. What accounts for or is the reason for the omission or deleation of Foni as a beneficiary of the National Electric Connection? Editorial Decision and if yes, why? Government decision or pressure for insidious and “Balkanization” reasons? Please clarify or explain. Enquiring minds want to know…is Foni a beneficiary of the proposed Electricity grid from Soma, Kiang to Brikama in the Kombo North? The Electric grid from Soma, Kiang to Brikama would logically and rationally have to go through Foni. The question is, are the current Regime attempting to bypass Foni as a punishment for their and Gambia’s son, former President Yaya Jammeh’s reported “deeds”? Hope I am not on to a diabolical and insidious cynical plot. For the sake of Gambia and Gambians sustained peace and security, let’s hope reason and logic prevails over ethnocentrist and tribal Ideologues…
I know this might sound like a dumb question, but,
Who and what is the, OMVG?
No, it’s not dumb at all. It’s no crime not to know, especially when it’s such a long term project.
OMVG is a project agreement between 4 countries (Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau and Senegal) to tap into and develop the hydpro-electric power generation capacity of The Gambia River for production and distribution of low cost energy. It was established under the PPP Government of Sir Dawda Jawara in the 1970’s.
@Tilli Bo:
I guess that’s a French acronym for an organization consisting of Gambia, Senegal, the two Guineas and Mauritania if I am not mistaken, that is running a hydroelectric power project to supply the mentioned countries with power.
Thanks Bax and Mwalimu, for the information, almost 50 years ago, why has it taken so long?
It would be interesting to see what the forecasted budget was back then and the actual revised budget for 2019 will be, even though the revised budget, will not be final, because of escalating raw material prices, it would also be fascinating to know, who are the private equity holders/players/investees, infact, they should have offered a discounted, public share offering, say 10-20% of the ordinary shares, to the general public, of all the countries involved, let the people feel proud that they own, a piece of the pie, and experience how these type of instruments work, of course, in the long term! and these are guilt edge investments, sovereign wealth funds, love them because of the dividends growth, hope Gambia Sovereign Wealth fund, do pick up the majority.
All in all, it sounds like a great project, electricity is good for any economy, if used wisely.
What does this mean for the future of Gambia’s own power supply company?