Economy, News

Gambia, Partners Spearhead Big Push To End Power Crisis

(JollofNews) – Gambia and its development partners are stepping up efforts to end the five-decade long electricity crisis. The World (WB) and African Development (ADB) are pushing ahead with a new initiative geared towards supporting President Adama Barrow government to solve the acute power shortages the country is confronted with.

“We are working hard to make sure that people expectations are met. Energy is expensive and takes times to be solved. I met with WB and ADB officials and we discussed a lot about what we can do address this
emergency situation,” Gambia’s Minister for Energy and Petroleum Fafa Sanyang told a group of reporters during a presser held Monday evening at United Nations House in Cape Point, some 7 km away from Banjul.

Over these past months, the tiny West African nation has been going through a severe power crisis that has left many wondering whether the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) is not undermining the new administration. A situation that prompted the collective #OccupyWestfield to stage a demonstration last Sunday despite the revocation of their permit by the police.

Minister Sanyang assured that energy tops government priorities and constitutes one of the key problems the Gambian leader wants to solve for good. “Our ultimate objective is to make energy problems history
for Gambians,” he said.

World Bank Regional Director for West Africa Louise J. Cord, said they held discussions with Preesident Barrow Monday morning centred around the energy situation in The Gambia.

“We all acknowledge that September and October have been difficult months for us. Now things are better with additional energy supply prepared to come on line,” she said.

The WB official further stated that  there is already a transmission line from Senegal, allowing 24/7 electricity in Farafenni and additional power supply will be directed to other villages along the
border.

“The donors are very keen to support these efforts as energy is foundation for economic growth,” she told newsmen.  “There are other critical donors such as the European Union (EU), EU Investment Bank,
Islamic Development Bank that are also highly present in this sector”

She announced the building of a new power plant that would conect Gambia to the West African subregion, costing US$47 million dollars.

Louise J. Cord said there is a new project coming up, which is going to include solar energy. “Work remains to be done, but there is a path ahead that is well crafted.”

The African Development Bank (ADB) Power Systems Director Batchi Baldeh, said power is indeed a big problem throughout Africa. “In the short term, we have to put an end to the demand-supply gap. No stone
will be left unturned to make sure that energy problem becomes a thing of the post,” he said.

Baldeh, who is a former Managing Director of the country’s power company, renewed ADB commitment to stand behind Gambia govt  and NAWEC to make sure that these pressing problems are solved.

“We are part of OMVG transmission line that would bring renewable energy from Guinea. We have invested over US$100 million dollars,” he said.

7 Comments

  1. I doubt a new plant at £47 million will even scratch the surface. Unless there is not only surplus energy that is competitively priced for home use but for industrial regeneration, Gambia will just be throwing good money after bad. Besides Gambia’s heavily indebted status can only be modified by increased economic activity that can generate jobs incomes and taxes. I think the world lending banks have “milked” this lifeless cash cow for far too long.
    But all these highly paid executives doing nice talk about “plans” at least will pay there wages…but produce ….nothing.

  2. Good news indeed. The faster we go the better. Time to study, tender and award must cut in half. Time to execute the project must be given priority.
    Thank you partners.

  3. I know for certain that The Barrow administration is on alert and 100% ready to remedy the electricity crisis with proficiency and urgency. That shall soon happen INSHAALLAH !

  4. The government’s efforts to address the energy crisis are commendable, but officials must be realistic and avoid making pronouncements that are unattainable within one parliament. This administration cannot make our energy crisis history, and any pronouncements that even seem to suggest this, are ill advised and unwise.
    What we need is a National Energy Blue Print that will guide subsequent administrations towards our goal of achieving energy self sufficiency. It is going to be a slow and long process, due to the poor state of energy infrastructures in the country, and the low economic power of the population.
    Sustainability in the energy sector is only possible if the energy produced can be sold to the consumers at profit, hence the population’s purchasing power has to be increased, through good, working economic policies.

    • There is a Gambia electricity sector roadmap that was written in 2015 and updated by this administration. Get something clear, it is realistic and well reasoned. My advice is get a copy and read. It is written for Gambia by Gambians and I am so proud of the men and women that put all the work in producing this document. To go from 100% dependent on HFO to generate our needs to a combination of resources to get NAWEC to its goal of 300MW LCPDP is a challenge that require careful planning as detailed in the 2015/2017 plans. Folks need to stop talking about topics they know absolutely nothing about. Say thank you to your government in this regard.
      God Bless The Gambia.

      • Actually, I’ve started by saying that efforts of this government are commendable, but the statement of the minister, that they (this government & president) were striving to make our energy crisis history (in 5 years, if Barrow decides to complete full term), is what I view as unrealistic, and if you believe that our energy crisis will be solved in 5 years, then I will have to say that you are being unrealistic, Dr Sarr.
        The Electricity Road Map 2015/2017 can answer the energy shortage crisis if funding can be secured (not within 5 years), but it cannot answer the sustainability question, as even the document recognises “financial viability” and “Tariff reviews” (upwards I guess), as challenges faced by NAWEC to achieve sustainability.
        “Financial Viability”, in the face of a “Tariff Review”, will require a population with the improved financial power to be achieved, as even at current levels, NAWEC electricity is beyond many families.

        • I understand the frustration with NAWEC. The company was insolvent when Yahya left. They were inefficient and bleeding Dalasi and not able to service customers in the GBA. Keep this in mind. To reverse this trend Barrow must
          1. Eliminate administrative inefficiency and theft.
          2. Build capacity.
          3. Improve supply and distribution.
          4. Retool again infrastructure.
          All these without a single Dalasi with a poor and angry dissatisfied customer base. You can understand the challenges faced by the poor guy. At this point, this is March 2017, he is saying to himself, WHY? Why did I agree to serve? They were unaware of the Electricity plan until May/June, because Jammeh made sure there was no transitional government dialogue. In addition he placed tripwire all over the place making life hell for the incoming administration.
          Truly I feel very sorry for Barrow, but that been said he is the President and must find solutions to Gambia’s problems.
          The roadmap they are following will resolve most issues in 5 years, I am confident of that. Moving forward by 2025 assuming successive administration follows same plan Gambia will have affordable energy generation and distribution.
          I have crunched the numbers, based on the present PPA, the plan is solid. The only unknown is human factor, corruption, disruption and political instability. Bax, give them a pass on this one. It is a huge problem. It can give anyone of us a coronary.
          God Bless The Gambia .

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