(JollofNews)- The Gambian Minister of Petroleum & Energy, Fafa Sanyang, Monday led a delegation of senior officials to Dakar, Senegal as first step toward an energy cooperation between The Gambia and Senegal building on an already special relation between the two sister republics.
The outcome of the visit was the finalization of a memorandum of understanding between the two national utilities (SENELEC & NAWEC) and the initialing of a highly concessional draft Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between the two Utilities to be presented for approval by their respective Boards for final signature.
The PPA deal would interconnect cross-border points of KeurAyib (Zone 1), Karang (Zone 2), TambaKunda (zone 3) and supply by SENELEC immediately to NAWEC between three (3)MW to ten (10) MW and possibility of expanding as the capacity of the network grows.
The supply from SENELEC will significantly complement NAWEC`s efforts and very soon, most parts of rural Gambia will start enjoying 24hrs of electricity supply, a significant milestone in the rural electrification programme of government.
While in Dakar Minister Sanyang also paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Senegal and intimated to him The Gambia Government’s aspiration to have sector wide cooperation between our two ministries of energy and petroleum.
The objective is to align our policies, strategies and mutually defend our interest given that we all belong to the West Africa Power Pool (WAPP), Gambia River Basin Development Organisation (OMVG), Senegalo-Gambia Permanent Secretariat and the Mauritania-Senegal-Gambia-Guinea Bissau-Guinea Conakry Basin (MSGBC geological Basin).
The PM of Senegal thanked the Hon. Minister, welcomed the initiative and confirmed his government’s firm commitment and full support. He has urged both parties to expeditiously take the necessary next step of formalizing the energy and petroleum cooperation through Diplomatic Channels.
Senegalese Energy, Soldiers, Fishing and Industry, manpower,technical assistance and joint petroleum strategy. Not much independence or sovereignty these days. A one way economic strategy that smacks of desperation and no vision and few options..
But at least gambians can now see what they are doing. Does this mean international investors will flock to Gambia’s shores? Does this mean all Gambians can afford the light? Will government make the profit from the exchange? and what will be the final cost to the end user? Once again an announcement from government with no costs mentioned. The blind leading the blind to where ???
Ghana and Ivory Coast are making a similar electricity proposals. If the deal is sealed just like that both countries will benefit and settle their electric problems. There is no country in Political arena better than your neighbouring country.May Allah take care of the rest. This could have been done long time ago until we are able to install our own non stop electric power.
Fuck off if Senegal still need energy to feed 40% of its population ? Will supply us? What’s the hell is NAWEC is finishing in 2years . No plans for own energy company all this guy’s will loose their job because of the inexperienced government , shit
I tell you, you will soon have Senegal’s currency also.
I know Barrow need to do something in return for his presidency but If we are paying cfa2000 just cross the border with our motorcycle and now will pay bills to Senegal?
I think Gambia should look closely to windmill powers, like how the Dutch people become very successful, Gambia have a good coastline that can generate this windmill powers into all the coastal towns, At least that will minimize the cost.
Lets Gambia go Dutch, its cheaper,environmental friendly , and even stands independent
That,s my point of view.
@=peace# do you know how to engage in decent conversation without profanities? Just take a look at the constructive discussions others are posting and you cannot fail to realize that our country needs a decent exposition of issues rather than engaging in indecent use of language. So please, I beg…
But Senegal isn’t the solution to the Gambia and the rural areas don’t want Senegalese hands in the our system any the country needs experienced team to face the world than decision from Dakar our changes need to be reality anyway is just 3 yr term people are start seeing the way
Senegal pending from France and the Gambia pending from Senegal ??? Ha ha ha, what a shame, it seems like a joke but ye the reality, Macky I’ll ask france and Barrow you give me what you have left, Senegal can left our sate house with no electricity