By Binta Jaiteh
National Assembly Member for Kiang West, Lamin Ceesay, has called on President Adama Barrow to dismiss Minister of Petroleum and Energy Nani Juwara over the country’s persistent electricity crisis.
Speaking to The Voice Newspaper, Ceesay said electricity was a basic necessity and criticised the government over prolonged power outages affecting households and businesses across the country.
“Businesses across the country are being destroyed. The economic hardship is crushing. Without reliable power, companies cannot operate, and they are shutting down,” Ceesay said.
He accused the government of failing to address the electricity crisis and called on Gambians to put aside tribal considerations and focus on protecting the country’s interests.
“This is leadership failure. President Barrow and his government are directly responsible for this disaster. He has refused to hold his own officials accountable,” he said.
Ceesay also raised questions over the availability of standby generators reportedly acquired to address power shortages, accusing the government of misleading the public.
“Where are the standby generators the President claims to have? He is misinforming the public and causing anger and frustration,” he said.
The lawmaker said the electricity crisis could have serious consequences for education, particularly as schools prepare to reopen.
“Children are being forced to learn in darkness. Their education and their future are being sacrificed,” he said, adding that businesses and livelihoods dependent on electricity were also being affected.
Ceesay further expressed concern about the impact of power outages on the health sector, saying hospitals and clinics were facing difficulties in providing services.
He claimed that some Gambians had lost their lives because of power outages, while also linking the prolonged electricity crisis to rising crime and growing public frustration.
“The Gambia deserves competent leadership, accountability and a government that puts the Gambia first,” Ceesay said.
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