By: Binta Jaiteh
Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) has threatened to organise a nationwide protest if there is no significant improvement in electricity supply and greater accountability over the country’s ongoing power crisis by 19 June.
In a statement issued on Monday, the civil society group said it had reviewed the latest communication from the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) regarding the nationwide electricity outages and expressed concern over the causes of the crisis.
GALA argued that NAWEC’s explanation, which cited regional supply challenges and technical difficulties, pointed to what it described as longstanding weaknesses in planning, preparedness and accountability within the energy sector.
The group expressed concern over The Gambia’s dependence on imported electricity and the reported lack of adequate backup generation capacity, saying the situation raises questions about long-term planning and the management of public resources.
According to GALA, backup systems are intended to respond to emergencies and should be operational during periods of national crisis. The organisation maintained that recurring power disruptions have continued to affect businesses, students, health facilities and households across the country.
The group described the electricity shortages as the result of inadequate preparation for foreseeable disruptions and called for greater transparency, accountability and concrete measures to address challenges facing the sector.
GALA also urged the Government and NAWEC to provide clear information on steps being taken to prevent similar crises and ensure a more reliable electricity supply.
The organisation said that if there is no significant improvement in power supply and no visible accountability by 19 June, it will mobilise citizens for what it described as a lawful nationwide protest.
According to the group, the continued electricity shortages are causing hardship for citizens and businesses and require urgent intervention from the authorities.
GALA said the June 19 deadline would serve as a benchmark for accountability and progress in addressing the country’s electricity challenges.