Part one.Open Gambia Platform received Information from a trusted whistleblower within the statehouse, revealing background information on the National Electricity and Water Company (NAWEC) deal with the Turkish Power Supply Company (KARPOWER), which led to the $19.4 million arrears payment controversy made by the Finance Minister, Seedy Keita, at the House of Parliament.
The whistleblower alleges that during the tenure of former NAWEC Managing Director Alpha Robinson, competent negotiations on Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) were facilitated by World Bank energy experts. These experts, appointed through the West African Power Pool (WAPP), supported the NAWEC team in negotiating the extension of the KARPOWER PPA contract for an additional two years, resulting in a more favourable agreement for NAWEC. The World Bank also provided NAWEC with an independent procurement specialist to assist in the acquisition of Heavy Fuel. President Barrow and his corruption enablers weren’t happy with Mr Robinson continuing in his position because he was closing down all the loopholes, preventing them from getting kickbacks.
A few months later, after signing a new grant agreement with the World Bank, worth over $40 million, and other donor commitments in support of NAWEC’s transformation program, MD Robinson was relieved of his position and reassigned to serve as ambassador in the foreign service, a position he declined.
The current Energy Minister, Nani Juwara, was then appointed as Managing Director, replacing Mr Robinson. Former President’s chief of staff Mod K Ceesay, and MD Nani Juwara conceived the plans that undermined the competency of the signed Karpower Contract, with the approval of then Minister of Energy, Fafa Sanyang.
The whistleblower alleged that the Chief of Staff, Mod K Ceesay, and MD, Nana Juwara, inserted kickbacks totalling millions of dollars by exploiting a loophole in the metering system that should have allowed NAWEC to have accurate data on energy supply by KARPOWER and consumption by NAWEC. They later tried to extend Karpower’s contract on worse terms for more than 5 years. Under pressure, they changed course and shortened the contract after being called out on Popular social media platforms, mainly Open Gambia Platform and What’s on Gambia.
In fact, this was one of the reasons for elevating MD Nani, who was a classmate and schoolmate of Mod K. Ceesay. There was no evidence of due diligence or an adequate push for a better deal for NAWEC on the price per kilowatt-hour imposed by Karpower under MD Nani.
The whistleblower revealed that President Barrow further worsened the situation by appointing Haji Banico Sissoko as the sole Heavy Fuel Supplier for NAWEC, replacing Muhammed Bazzi and Hasib Massry of Castle Oil. Haji Banico Sissoko had no industry knowledge and lacked the financial muscle to run the multi-million-dollar heavy fuel business. He was handpicked for the kickbacks. It’s interesting to note that Haji Banico Sissoko, is an executive member of President Barrow’s NPP political party and a generous donor.
The only reason President Barrow and Finance Minister Sidi Keita could not continue the fraud on the Karpower contract was the appointment of Dawda Jawara junior as Board Chairman by the SoE Commission. The new board under Dawda Jawara presented a business case beyond a reasonable doubt, and it not only exposed the fraud by President Barrow, Seedy Keita, and their cabal but also made it untenable to continue with NAWEC’s ongoing cash flow problems. This left NAWEC unable to pay KARPOWER invoices, which led to the current controversy over 19.4 million dollars.
Stay tuned for more revelations in subsequent publications.
