Therefore, there was no need for the country to rely on Senelec and Karpowership for electricity supplies. The technical capacity and knowledge of running NAWEC have been dwindling over the years due to frequent changes in its management structure and operations.
The involvement of Lebanese con men in the company who were out to rip the resources of the company. The tainted procurement policies. The illegal connections exerting further pressures on the electricity supplies have gone way beyond the capacity of NAWEC to cope with.
Power generation has never been an issue of NAWEC. The fundamental necessity of Transmission and Distribution has not been adequately addressed and funded accordingly. The continued heavy reliance on Generators has not been sustainable due to the financial implications and fuel requirements. Renewable energy is the best way forward for a country with enough sun and abundance of wind conditions.
In this context, it was illogical to connect all street lights to the NAWEC grid when the solar street lights system was the best economic option for the country. Historically, the Kotu Power Station has never been operationally efficient due to frequent breakdown of generators at the site.
There is therefore a need to relocate the power station to another location that is free from evil spirits and possible curse by the old man who was evicted from the land for the purposes of the power station. Many in society believe that the heavy politicization of the energy and petroleum sector has been a major contributor to the downfall of the sector. This is not a sector for political interference but a sector that requires technical and professional management and operations. We must get it right.
Most importantly, it has to be acknowledged that the government cannot be a businessman. Sectors like NAWEC, Gambia International Airlines, Gambia Transport Services Company, Gamcel, Housing Finance Corporation, etc among others, should be privatized without waiting any longer to invite investors. This will lessen the burden on the government and ensure that taxes due to the state from private companies are steadily flowing into the CRF. Our continued dependence on these largely liability institutions will deepen the economic woes of the country.
Public officials including advisers must feel Gambian enough to engage the government on the right path to a system that will move the country forward for the common good. We have what it takes to develop our country. Inspiring home ideas would help a successful future for the OPINION country. It is advisable therefore, that policy decisions are reflective of ground realities. Hence, the need to prioritize options that serve the best economic interest of the country and the well- being of the people.
