BAC paid D1m to NAWEC

The Brikama Area Council recently presented a cheque for one million Dalasi to the officials of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) as payment against arrears owed by the council on street lights and public taps.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the Chairman of Brikama Area Council, Mr. Sunkary Badjie said his council is committed to providing essential services and amenities to communities.

For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Brikama Area Council, Mr. Momodou Jallow advised the concerned communities to make judicious use of water. Mr. Jallow further appealed to tax payers to pay their dues to the council to enable them deliver essential services.

The Public Relations Officer of BAC, Mr. Modou Jonga stated that the arrears owed to NAWEC, is an accumulative sum inherited from the previous management of the council. Mr. Jonga added that the street lighting systems in Senegambia, Brufut, Airport Junction, Lamin and Brikama Misira had increased the arrears owed to NAWEC.

It could be recalled that the Minister of Local Government and Lands recently told deputies at the National Assembly that area councils in the country owe NAWEC a total sum of over D95m.

The following are the breakdowns: Banjul City Council-D12, 443, 080.24, Kanifing Municipal Council-D16, 337,556.04, Brikama Area Council-D33, 705, 927.16, Mansakonko Area Council -D6, 067, 596.90, Basse Area Council-D13, 209,932.61, Kerewan Area Council-D13, 244,417.87, Kuntaur Area Council-D18, 864.09 and Janjanbureh Area Council-D615, 243.2, as reported by the Minister.

He also told deputies that negotiations were ongoing for the councils to sit with NAWEC and prepare payment plans for the settlement of the arrears.