The
Farafenni Power Station commissioned on Saturday 6 August 2016 is expected to
bring about a positive transformation in the lives of especially people in the
rural areas, as with light every other development follows.
In
launching the station, the Education minister highlighted the multiplier effect
of electricity supply, saying it stimulates other sectors of the economy.
That
is very true. With reliable electricity supply, especially in the rural areas,
come more business opportunities and investments, more growth in education and
skills learning, less rural-urban migration, more agricultural activity, more
income to the average man and woman, increased economic growth for the nation
and widespread national development.
The
country’s food self-sufficiency drive would be hugely boosted with the
availability of electricity and power generating amenities that preserve
produce, the education minister said, as it would attract well trained
agriculturalists to the region it is provided, as well as enhance their commercial
agricultural initiatives in terms of storage and processing.
“The
government will also continue to explore other alternative cheaper means of
producing electricity through the renewable energy initiatives,” the minister
said. “This is with a view to ensuring the affordability of electricity to the
average Gambian.”
As
we congratulate the government and NAWEC for this national project and
development booster, which comes with huge multiplier effect, it is advisable
to ensure that reliable and affordable supply of electricity is maintained at
all times so that the masses of our people are able to utilise it and the
desirable objective achieved, which is: national development and better
standard of living for the people.
“If
it weren’t for electricity, we’d all be watching television by candlelight. ”
George
Gobel
