By: Mariama Njie
President of The Gambia His Excellency Adama Barrow has inaugurated a US$28.44 million 20 mega watts power plant installed in Brikama West Coast Region on Saturday, 20th February, 2021.
The power plant project is the second phase of the power generation expansion program funded by the Islamic Development Bank and The Gambia government.
The project aimed to close electricity demand and supply gap in the Greater Banjul Area.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, President Adama Barrow said: “It is a source of joy to observe that the event is being held as part of the activities marking the Fifty-sixth Independence Anniversary of our dear motherland.”
He said the power plant added to the ample evidence of his government’s commitment to its 2021 Energy Roadmap and National Development Plan.
According to him the 20 Mega Watts will significantly address the country’s power capacity gaps and serve as a catalyst to achieve and maintain regular electricity supply for the entire nation.
This Power Plant project, he said, results from the Government’s belief that energy is a key driver of economic development.
President Barrow expressed that the project stands out as another means of accelerating the country’s key infrastructure investments to empower Gambian citizens through access to essential services, as “the rapid increase in the generation capacity of NAWEC and the expansion of its service within the past four years has been quite tactical.”
In his words “My government is aware of the fact that despite significant improvements on access to electricity since 2017, there remains a considerable portion of our population without electricity supply and to address this, in collaboration with our development partners, Government will in the next three years, create access to over six hundred and eighty-five (685) communities countrywide. Our target is universal access by 2025, which is earlier than the 2030 Sustainable Energy for All target.”
He therefore commended Islamic Development Bank for providing Twenty-five Million, Two Hundred and Twenty Thousand US Dollars (US$25, 220,000) of the cost, and “We also recognize the efforts of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs for facilitating the Government’s counterpart contribution of US$3,220,000 (Three Million, Two Hundred and Twenty thousand Dollars). As a government, we commend all those who contributed to the success of the project.”
President Barrow as well appreciated efforts of Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, board and management of NAWEC among other stakeholders for the success of the project.
He therefore tasked the Board and Management of NAWEC to re-double their efforts in boosting their generation capacity to support the Government’s initiatives across the country while he expressed gratitude to the contractor – STX Heavy Industries of South Korea, for undertaking the works successfully.
Honorable Fafa Sanyang, Minister of Petroleum and Energy said providing access to electricity to support social economic development is one of the pivotal cornerstones of government’s priority.
The National electrification target is to reach 60% by the end of this year and universal access by 2025, he added.
Mr. Nani Juwara, Managing Director of National Water and Electricity Company said the commission of new plant in October 2020 has increased the available generation capacity of NAWEC by almost 30% and it has improved the availability of electricity supply within the greater Banjul area.