By Fatou Krubally
The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) has called on the government to release the first public update from the Presidential Task Force on Electricity Supply, saying the two-week reporting period announced by President Adama Barrow has elapsed.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Sept. 23rd , the rights organisation said Tuesday marked 14 days since President Barrow addressed the nation on the country’s persistent electricity crisis and announced the establishment of the task force.
The president announced the task force on Sept. 8, following a series of candlelight protests over prolonged power outages.
He said the task force, chaired by the vice president, would report directly to him and provide updates every two weeks.
President Barrow also pledged that the country’s electricity supply situation would improve by the end of October 2026.
EFSCRJ said the expiry of the first two-week period presented an opportunity for the government to inform the public about the task force’s work and progress made since its establishment.
Under its Nawec Watch initiative, the organisation said it was monitoring developments in the energy sector to promote transparency, accountability and efficient service delivery.
EFSCRJ said citizens should be informed about the task force’s findings on the electricity crisis, recommendations and measures proposed, actions taken during its first two weeks and progress towards meeting the government’s end-of-October target.
“The two weeks are up. We expect the first public update,” the organisation said.
The rights group also renewed its call on President Barrow to publish the task force’s terms of reference and full membership.
It said the public should have access to information on the mandate, composition, responsibilities, timelines and expected deliverables of a body established to address a national crisis.
EFSCRJ said its Nawec Watch initiative would continue to monitor the task force’s activities, public updates and actions taken by the president and government in response to its recommendations.
It stressed that public commitments should be accompanied by public reporting, measurable action and tangible results.
The organisation also said Gambians deserved reliable, accessible and affordable electricity, describing a stable power supply as essential to quality of life, economic productivity and national development.
EFSCRJ said it would continue monitoring developments as the government works towards President Barrow’s end-of-October deadline for improving electricity supply.
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