As Eid Adha locally known as Tobaski fast approaches, Gambians across the country have raised concerns over the continuous lack of power supply in the length and breadth of the Country as acute power shortage hits the Nation. Residents in Brikama and many urban areas have equally been hit hard in the power shortage for the past weeks affecting businesses who are busy preparing for the Muslim grand feast.
Small businesses who largely depend on power supplies to sell their products such as Ice have bitterly complained as well. One Ms Camara who sells Ice blocks noted that for the past one week, they have been seriously affected which results in her business slowing down drastically.
According to her, She has been losing income to sustain her and her family as the breadwinner because of the lack of power supply saying that as a poor widow, she is in a state of shock as her food stuff she puts in the refrigerator for the family has rode due to the lack of electricity supply. Mr. Jallow also a resident of Jarra Soma in the Provincial Lower River Region who is a tailor said his work is in a serious state as a result coupled with the recent arrest of shop owners all over the country. He said since last week, he has not done a single job at the workshop as there is no power adding that he just paid heavy fees on his workshop.
He complained that despite having lot of work to do he basically sits down the whole day waiting for electricity supply to no avail. Jallow tasked NAWEC to help them stabilize power supply because the frequent on and off is alarming and people are in preparation for the Tobaski and other occasions.
A Cyber Internet Café Operator in Serrekunda preferring anonymous emphasized that the lack of electricity supply is very frustrating charging that NAWEC should do something before it will be too late.
“We pay rent and lots of other expenditures, but it makes no sense just to come to work and sit down the whole day without having power supply to run your business,” he said.
The lack of electricity availability in the entire nation is worrisome because those in the provinces have also been seriously affected as some of my partners operating have also complained bitterly he charged.
A Senior NAWEC Officer speaking to this medium under anonymous including host of other business men and women have all underscored similar sentiments noting that their constraints are all the same since there is no power supply.
A Source at State House in Banjul said since the NAWEC Office is under the administration of President Jammeh, he should do something or else vacate his post saying that Jammeh is a failure and anything he is overseeing does not work. President Jammeh has taken so many portfolios under his watch complaining that current ministers are not effective. Once he takes over the portfolio it gets even worst.
Electricity power supply is the live line of any nation. Without adequate and regular energy supplies business pretty much comes to a halt. It is inconceivable that a small nation like the Gambia cannot supply its citizens enough power supply. It is really a shame that Gambia government will boost of vision 2020 when the country’s energy supplies continue to go down the drain.