No More Blackout, Nawec Promises

The Daily Observer (Banjul)
June 26, 2001
Posted to the web June 26, 2001

Banjul

The power outages that had gripped the country for
decades would soon be a thing of the past. Nawec, the
utility institution responsible for power supply, on Monday
June 25, unloaded a 6 megawatts M640 generator at the
Gambia Ports Authority in Banjul. This is one of a total of
three 6 megawatts generators to provide the whole
country round- the-clock power supply.

The cost of the sets of generators was estimated at
approximately US $15 million about D225 million. The
brand new generator which would be transported to the
Kotu Power Station today, Tuesday, July 26. The 6
megawatts generator would be commissioned on July 20,
2001 while the other two sets are due in July and August
respectively and would be commissioned by the end of
September and October.

Speaking to the Daily Observer, Yankuba Touray, SoS
for tourism and culture and APRC national mobiliser said
the generator which just arrived is to show the dynamic
policy that the APRC government has put in place under
the leadership of President Jammeh. He pointed out that
the electricity problem is a subregional problem and with
the arrival of the new generator and the two other
generators due to arrive very soon, the problem of
electricity in The Gambia would soon be an issue of the
past. This also shows the general public that the
president is a man of his words and that the July 22
revolution came for the better.

Therefore, the generators will surely complement our
effort in trying to reduce poverty by creating the
necessary environment for private sectors investment,
particularly in the manufacturing industries, thus creating
employment opportunities for the majority of Gambians,
he said.

Mr. Touray further stated that the provision of the 6
megawatts generators would generate enough power for
the whole Greater Banjul Area. He also said that there
are also possibilities for further extension in areas which
do not have electricity. He said the launching of the rural
electrification programme this year will provide electricity
supply to about 46 major villages and towns all over the
country by 2003. This, according to SoS Touray, would
afford electricity supply to about 90 per cent of the
Gambian population as promised by the president. Mr.
Abdoulie Ndure, Nawec electricity project manager, said
that the new generator would supplement the energy
requirement in the country and would also alleviate the
load on them. Mr. Buba Baldeh, APRC deputy national
mobiliser, said All Gambians have cause to celebrate
and be thankful to God for President Jammehs
progressive leadership. The generator is for everybody.

It will supplement the power supply of the country. It is in
line with the goals of President Jammeh and the APRC
government as enshrined in the Vision 2020 mission
statement. An influential local businessman also
expressed delight and said I think it is a pride for every
Gambian that the main stumbling block (power outages)
will be a thing of the past. Presents at the port were the
mayor of Banjul, Samba Faal, Nawec officials, elders of
Banjul, senior government officials and other dignitaries.
It would be recalled that during last years July 22
celebration, President Jammeh promised the nation 90
per cent electricity supply before July 22 this year.

This could be the beginning.


Copyright © 2001 The Daily Observer. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media
(allAfrica.com).


PEACE

TOMBONG
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