In a statement issued by the party's Media and Communication Secretary, Sulayman Camara, the NPP said Gambians have every right to demand reliable public services and express their concerns peacefully, but stressed that criminal acts should not be justified by electricity shortages.
"The concerns of citizens deserve to be heard, and they have every right to demand reliable public services and express their grievances peacefully," the statement noted.
The party said the current electricity challenges stem from a combination of constraints affecting the Organisation pour la Mise en Valeur du Fleuve Gambie (OMVG) interconnected power system and operational difficulties facing the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), including challenges with some generating equipment.
According to the NPP, government and relevant institutions are working urgently to restore dependable electricity supply and improve communication with the public regarding ongoing efforts to address the situation.
While acknowledging the seriousness of the current crisis, the party highlighted what it described as significant achievements made under President Adama Barrow in expanding electricity access across the country.
The statement recalled that for more than five decades, access to reliable electricity remained one of The Gambia's most pressing development challenges, with many rural communities lacking access to the national grid.
However, through the government's Universal Access to Electricity Programme and investments in power generation, transmission, distribution, rural electrification and regional energy integration, the electricity network has expanded significantly in recent years.
The NPP stated that The Gambia has now achieved approximately 95 per cent national electricity coverage, describing the milestone as a major transformation compared to the level of access inherited by the current administration.
The party also pointed to government subsidies on electricity meters, saying they have helped make connections more affordable for ordinary households.
"Whatever one's political affiliation, the expansion of electricity under President Barrow deserves acknowledgement," the statement said, adding that no previous administration had overseen a greater expansion of national electricity access.
Despite highlighting these gains, the NPP said the recent blackouts should not be ignored and insisted that improving reliability, affordability and sustainability must now become the sector's priority.
The party further noted that energy challenges are being experienced globally, driven by factors including ageing infrastructure, fuel costs, climate conditions, transmission constraints and growing demand.
Addressing the recent protests, the NPP maintained that peaceful assembly and criticism of government policies are protected democratic rights. However, it strongly condemned acts of vandalism, arson, looting and the destruction of public and private property.
The statement warned that damage to national assets ultimately places an additional burden on taxpayers and undermines collective development efforts.
The party also cautioned political actors against exploiting public frustrations for partisan purposes and urged individuals not to use legitimate protests as cover for criminal activity.
"The greatest national asset we possess is peace," the statement said, stressing that political differences should never undermine national stability.
The NPP further called for continued investment in youth development through education, vocational training, entrepreneurship, agriculture, fisheries and technology, arguing that young people should remain at the centre of national development efforts.
While urging government agencies to act swiftly in addressing the electricity crisis, the ruling party expressed confidence that the current challenges can be overcome and reaffirmed its commitment to achieving reliable, affordable and universal electricity access for all Gambians.
"The current electricity challenges are serious and require urgent action," the statement concluded. "But the solution is not to destroy what Gambians have collectively built. We can demand better electricity while protecting our country and preserving our peace."
