By: Mariama Njie
President Adama Barrow has disclosed that government has mobilized a fund of US$200 Million to achieve and ensure the electrification of the whole country by 2025.
President Adama Barrow made this remark at the inauguration of the Electricity Expansion Project in Kiang, Kwinella over the weekend.
Addressing the gathering, President Barrow said “Our national electricity programme is anchored to the Electricity Road Map developed in 2017, with support from our development partners. It is a comprehensive Road Map that outlines viable investment projects for generation, transmission and distribution up to 2025.”
“These reasons justify and underscore the wisdom of prioritising access to electricity in accordance with the NDP and I assure all Gambians that, in the interest of all citizens, ample resources have been mobilised for the energy sector,” he said.
The Presdient explained that The funds will be duly invested to intensify and ensure the electrification of the whole country by 2025, adding that ”My government has also secured funding to provide renewable energy in one thousand, one hundred (1100) health centres and schools across the country.”
“Electricity” he said “is necessary for socio-economic advancement. It is essential for use in our homes, offices, schools, health facilities and factories. Energy gives life to communities and nations; it brings about awareness of current affairs, and contributes to making people productive and active as citizens of the modern world.”
Meanwhile, he said, the Electricity Expansion Project inaugurated was part of the National Electricity Road Map for universal electricity access. It has many other components, such as The Gambia Electricity Restoration and Modernization Project, the Regional Electricity Access Project, the OMVG Electricity Interconnection Project and The Gambia Power Generation Improvement Project. All of them are slated for completion in the next few years.
He went further saying these projects will radically improve the livelihoods of the people, and contribute to the rapid realisation of the sustainable development goals.
With hope he said “the residents of Kiang and other beneficiaries of this project will seize the opportunity to engage in enterprising activities to improve their lives and the lots of their communities,” he added.
