The Open Gambia Platform’s credible insiders at the State House have blown the whistle on President Barrow seeking a temporary solution for the energy crisis until after the December Presidential election!
Gambia’s Energy Crisis Continues: President Barrow Initiates and personally leads Negotiations in Guinea Amidst Escalating Electricity Supply Concerns:
President Adama Barrow, accompanied by his energy team including Nani Juwara, Minister of Energy and Gallo Saidy, Managing Director of NAWEC, reportedly travelled to Conakry, Guinea, yesterday to negotiate temporary emergency electricity relief for The Gambia. This urgent diplomatic mission comes as the country faces severe power shortages and strained relationships with key regional energy suppliers.
The Gambia’s national power utility, NAWEC, is currently struggling with significant financial arrears owed to Electricité de Guinée (EDG). These mounting debts have led Guinea to scale back electricity exports to The Gambia drastically. Climate-related factors further complicate the situation. Guinea’s own hydroelectric capacity has been hampered by insufficient rainfall and low reservoir levels this year. Consequently, Guinea has reportedly prioritised electricity exports to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, leaving The Gambia at a disadvantage because it does not always honour its payment obligations.
Concurrently, supply from Senegal has also been constrained. Senegal, citing high domestic demand and The Gambia’s failure to settle huge outstanding electricity invoices, has restricted the volume of power exported to The Gambia, further exacerbating the crisis.
The President recently mentioned that the Government is bringing in new Generators. This statement is false; it is SOBESAI Company, owned by the Congolese national who owns MEGA Bank, that is bringing in the generators under a BOT (Build, Operate & Transfer) project.
Public scrutiny is mounting regarding the government’s approach to resolving these energy shortages. Specifically, questions are raised through the grapevine regarding the non-tendered contract with SOBESAI. Under this arrangement, the government has authorised NAWEC to sign an MOU to acquire 24MW of second-hand Chinese power generation capacity, delivered via three 8MW generators sourced from China.
Critics have expressed concern that this deal proceeded despite warnings from the World Bank. Reports indicate that the financing for this project is being facilitated through Mega Bank, under the coordination of Central Bank Governor Buwa Saidy. Governor Buwa Saidy brought in his Proxy, Bunja Sowe, as CEO and face of SOBESAI. Still, in fact, the Governor, the President, and their Congolese counterpart are the forces behind SOBESAI. The Congolese counterpart brought in his Chinese partners, who are importing fuel into the country, to handle generator operations.
Concerns regarding the agreement include:
Lack of Competitive Tendering: The absence of a formal, transparent bidding process.
Contractual Scrutiny: Preliminary reports suggest a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) that allows SOBESAI to operate the assets on a long-term basis without sufficient oversight.
Conflict of Interest: Concerns have been raised regarding SOBESAI’s diversified role, as the firm is also currently involved in importing petroleum and gasoline into the country.
As the government seeks immediate relief through negotiations in Conakry, the administration’s energy strategy remains under intense scrutiny. Further developments are expected as details regarding the SOBESAI contract emerge. Additionally, sources suggest that should the current diplomatic efforts with Guinea and Senegal prove unsuccessful, the administration may explore the potential return of Karpowership services ahead of upcoming elections.
The Board of NAWEC and the SOE Commission gave swift approval to this SOBESAI deal and are keeping tight-lipped on this energy deal because the President is still very angry with them about the poor decision-making they gave him regarding the termination of the Karpowership contract.
Watch out for more information coming soon on the ongoing energy crisis and the Government’s lack of solutions. The collapse of the 50MW Solar Soma project and the Government’s failed plan to allow Unique Energy to operate as an O&M alternative to kicking Karpowership out of the country.
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