By Kawsu Daffeh &Abdoulie Daffeh
Residents of Farato have condemned the destruction of the Farato Police Station and the National People’s Party (NPP) bureau during a protest on Monday night over prolonged electricity outages.
The protest, reportedly triggered by frustration over recurring power cuts by the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), resulted in damage to the two facilities in Farato.
Several residents who spoke following the incident expressed disappointment over the destruction, arguing that neither the police station nor the NPP office was responsible for the electricity crisis.
“The police station has no connection to NAWEC. The police are the ones who protect our lives and property. Why destroy the same institution we depend on when we are in trouble, especially at night?” one resident said.
Another resident said the frustration over prolonged power cuts was understandable but maintained that destroying public property would not resolve the problem.
“We are all struggling with the power cuts. It is difficult. But tearing down the police station will not restore electricity. It only makes us less safe,” the resident said.
Residents said months of unreliable electricity had affected businesses, students and households, while calling on NAWEC to improve its services.
They stressed, however, that demands for reliable electricity should be pursued without attacking public institutions or destroying property.
Modou Fatty, the Farato NPP campaign manager, also questioned the targeting of the party’s bureau during the protest.
Some residents said the destruction of the NPP office had raised concerns that the incident could have involved political motives in addition to grievances over electricity.
“They went straight for the NPP bureau. That is why some people are saying this was not only about electricity; it may also have been about politics,” one community member said.
Another resident questioned why facilities unrelated to electricity generation and distribution were targeted.
“If the issue was really NAWEC, then NAWEC should have been the focus. Damaging the police station and a party office will not solve the power problem. It will only create more problems for Farato,” the resident said.
The incident has reportedly heightened concerns about security and social cohesion in parts of the community, although residents broadly agree that the electricity situation requires urgent attention.
Community leaders have appealed for calm, urging residents to channel their grievances through dialogue with NAWEC and relevant authorities rather than resorting to violence and destruction of property.
“We do want electricity, that is true. But we also want peace. You cannot fight darkness by bringing more destruction to your own community,” one elder said.
As of publication, NAWEC had not issued a specific statement on the Farato incident or similar disturbances reported in Banjul, Kanifing Municipality and the West Coast Region.
The police had also not provided details on any arrests or investigations into the reported destruction.
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