Besides creating opportunities for citizens, electricity also helps in adding value to the country’s agricultural initiative and facilitates access to quality social services, and enhances better living conditions.
In our Monday edition, we reported that a total of 46 communities in rural Gambia were set to benefit from a 30KV electricity project. The project’s launch was presided over by President Barrow recently.
The eight-million US Dollar (US$8 million) project, is a component of The Gambia Electricity Restoration and Modernization Project that will “undoubtedly contribute remarkably” towards the achievement of the country's national universal electrification programme. Energy is an essential component and a key infrastructural development programme in any meaningful development.
It is an indisputable fact that economic development is impossible without access to affordable and reliable energy, which is why in 2015, the United Nations included energy for all as one of the Sustainable Development Goals. Around the world there are considerable gains to achieve universal access to energy by 2030.
Lack of access to energy hinders economic and human development. This assertion clearly shows the importance of energy in people's day-to-day activities.
In today's globalised and fast modernising world, access to energy forms an integral part that ensures livelihoods of people. Without it, all other economic activities are compromised, thereby disrupting essential services.
Therefore, this project would not only transform the people in rural Gambia, but would significantly help in development ventures.
As rightly stated by President Barrow, the provision of adequate, reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy service is a requirement for the development of any modern economy.
With the coming of this Electricity Restoration and Modernization Project, we remain optimistic that more households in rural Gambia would exploit the opportunities that come along with energy access.
As the energy expansion gets underway, it is therefore incumbent on all especially residents in rural areas to also make judicious use of energy. Let's remember that energy is very expensive but judicious use would help ensure universal and efficient access at all times.