Political analyst and commentator Bun Dawda has raised serious questions over President Adama Barrow’s reported visit to Conakry, Guinea, arguing that the trip came as the government searches for an emergency solution to The Gambia’s worsening electricity crisis ahead of the December presidential election.
Speaking on AG Radio’s Saturday “Voice of the People” Programme, under the theme “NAWEC in Crisis: How Years of Barrow’s Policy Failures, Mismanagement and Weak Oversight Left Gambians in the Dark,” Bun Dawda said the reported Guinea mission appeared to be connected to efforts to secure temporary electricity supplies.
According to Bun Dawda, President Barrow travelled to Guinea accompanied by Energy Minister Nani Juwara and NAWEC Managing Director Gallo Saidy as the national utility struggles with electricity shortages and outstanding financial obligations to regional suppliers.
“The president is seeking a temporary solution to the energy crisis until after the December election,” Bun Dawda alleged, while questioning whether the government has a sustainable strategy for addressing the country’s long-running electricity problems.
He also challenged the government’s recent statements about bringing new generators into the country, arguing that the equipment is being supplied under a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement involving SOBESAI.
Bun Dawda questioned the reported acquisition of 24 megawatts of second-hand Chinese generation capacity, comprising three 8MW generators. He raised concerns about the reported absence of competitive tendering and called for greater transparency over the agreement.
“There are serious questions about the SOBESAI arrangement, including the absence of competitive tendering and the level of oversight over the agreement,” Bun Dawda said.
He further questioned potential conflicts of interest surrounding SOBESAI’s reported involvement in petroleum-related activities and called for greater scrutiny of the roles played by government officials and financial institutions.
Bun Dawda argued that the current electricity crisis cannot be separated from what he described as years of policy failures, mismanagement and weak oversight at NAWEC.
He also pointed to difficulties surrounding Karpowership and the reported setbacks involving the 50MW Soma solar project, warning that failure to secure reliable alternatives could leave the government considering a return to Karpowership ahead of the election.
The claims and allegations raised by Dawda have not been independently verified. Government officials, NAWEC and other parties mentioned should be given an opportunity to respond.
