Inspecting the sites alongside technical teams, President Barrow formally described the persistent power cuts as an “emergency” and a “national security issue,” emphasising that immediate structural stabilisation was necessary.
Speaking to journalists at the Kotu power station, President Barrow acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and said his government was working tirelessly to restore electricity.
He urged Gambians to remain calm as the government worked to address the crisis, saying, “When you lie down in the heat and the dark, believe that you are not alone in that darkness.”
“I know that the fans have stopped turning, children work in the dark, mothers throw away stale food, and the heat is unbearable by day and by night,” President Barrow said, summarising public feedback during his address.
| Status | Outages classified as a “National Security Issue” |
| Target 1 | 24 MW generation capacity online by October |
| Target 2 | 50 MW solar power plant deployment |
| Immediate Action | Emergency generator imports |
Key government measures
Status: Outages classified as a “national security issue.”
Target 1: 24 MW of generation capacity online by October.
Target 2: Deployment of a 50 MW solar power plant.
Immediate action: The government has promised to import generators to help restore electricity supply.
During the executive inspection, Gallo Saidy, Managing Director of NAWEC, addressed the nation, outlining the underlying causes of the system collapse and appealing for public patience.
“We are aware of the frustration and constraints that the Gambian people are facing. We are asking for a little bit of time and patience. It is not our desire to see people frustrated. Nobody wants to fail.”
“But destroying electricity infrastructure hurts the very communities already struggling,” Saidy said.
Below 👇 is a table summary of what NAWEC said are the contributing factors to the current crisis.
Key takeaways from NAWEC Management
Regional supply shortfalls
The Gambia relies on electricity imports from regional partners, including Guinea and Senegal’s Senelec.
Saidy highlighted that lower rainfall in the region had severely reduced output from regional hydroelectric dams, which had previously supplied between 70 and 80 megawatts to the domestic grid.
He added that heat spikes triggered an unprecedented surge in consumer demand, overloading transformer capacity and key generation units.
Addressing the destruction of public property during protests, Saidy warned that vandalising energy infrastructure directly delays restoration efforts.
“These are facilities we should protect. We understand the frustration, but let’s not destroy what we have worked so hard to achieve. Give us some time; we want to fix this once and for all,” he pleaded.
Conclusion
The ongoing protest movement reflects deep-seated socioeconomic tensions fuelled by infrastructure vulnerabilities.
While NAWEC and government officials point to a mix of climate conditions, high demand, and regional supply shortfalls, citizens are demanding rapid, transparent solutions ahead of upcoming national commitments.