Is NAWEC covering up for the incompetence and failure of Operational and Maintenance Management?
For the past few weeks, the greater Banjul area has been experiencing the worst power outage in the country’s recent history. The National Electricity Company has given an excuse for the failure, citing the Middle East’s conflicts and the technical problems experienced by their suppliers.
Open Gambia Platform has unearthed an article written almost a year ago concerning the awarding of an Operation and Maintenance contract to Unique Energy following the termination of the Contract with Karpowership to enhance Domestic Power Generation. The Operation and Maintenance contact article is available in the attachment below.
Is it worth enquiring whether the Operational and Maintenance contract failed its performance contract, leading to the worst situation experienced? We hope Parliament and journalists will ask the Minister of Petroleum and the Managing Director of NAWEC the question.
Please read the article below!
Is President Barrow and his economic cartel at it again, REPLACEMENT OF KARPOWER WITH ANOTHER DODGY ARRANGEMENT?
Operation and Maintenance Contract awarded to Unique Energy following the termination of the Contract for Karpowership to enhance Domestic Power Generation by the National Water and Electricity Company :
Open Gambia Platform received a complaint from a concerned individual within the Energy sector, raising the alarm about what they term an unfair contract, lacking transparency and weak in accountability, signed between NAWEC and Unique Energy, which has formed a partnership with Global Energy Group under Muhamed Bazz. Please read the details below:
NAWEC’s local power production has been undergoing a significant shift. As of their latest updates, NAWEC is reactivating and expanding its generation facilities to reduce reliance on external providers like Karpowership, whose contract officially ended in May 2025. This move aligns with The Gambia’s broader energy independence goals outlined in the national road map.
Regarding output, NAWEC’s facilities—including Kotu and Brikama Power Stations—have historically contributed nearly 50% of total energy production in the Greater Banjul Area, with Kotu alone accounting for a substantial share due to its base-load engines. The company is also supplementing local generation with cross-border electricity imports from Senegal through multiple interconnection points.
So, while NAWEC’s local generation is active and growing, it’s part of a hybrid strategy that blends domestic production with regional cooperation.
NAWEC assures the public that measures are in place to minimise disruption and maintain a stable Electricity supply during this transition. To our greatest surprise, a contract was being negotiated between Unique Energy and the National Water and Electricity Company( NAWEC) using a single-source approach, and an agreement was concluded and signed on April 4, 2025.
Reports suggest that the former Partners of the Global Energy Group, under Muhamed Bazz (who is behind the arrangement for this new contract, initiated and are using Unique Energy, working with a long-time Spare parts supplier of NAWEC for the Deutz Engines (Global Power Systems), are working closely with NAWEC’s MD.
They have every opportunity to tender the process to align with the benefits
Tendering an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) contract for NAWEC—especially for critical thermal power assets—offers several strategic, technical, and governance benefits:
• Transparency and Public Trust- open tendering ensures the process is visible, accountable, and fair, reinforcing public confidence in how national utilities are managed.
• Value for Money Competitive bidding drives down costs and encourages bidders to offer innovative, cost-effective solutions. This helps NAWEC secure the best service at the most reasonable price.
• Technical Competence Tendering attracts firms with proven experience and specialised expertise, which is especially important for complex diesel engines like MAN B&W, DEUTZ, and Wartsila. This reduces operational risks and improves plant reliability.
• Capacity Building: Engaging qualified contractors through a transparent process often includes training and knowledge transfer to NAWEC staff, strengthening local capacity.
• Regulatory Compliance aligns with the Public Procurement Act 2022 and GPPA regulations, reducing the risk of audit queries, legal challenges, or donor concerns.
• Market Development, Open tendering encourages private sector participation, helping to build a competitive local energy services market and attract future investment. The selection process did not follow due process.
1. Public Procurement Act 2022 (PPA 2022):
• Requires open competitive bidding for public contracts unless exempted under specific conditions (e.g. emergency, national security, or sole-source justification).
• Mandates transparency, value for money, and equal opportunity for all qualified bidders.
• Establishes the Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) as the oversight body.
2. Public Procurement Regulations 2018:
• Provides detailed procedures for procurement planning, solicitation, evaluation, and contract award.
• Requires prior approval from GPPA for restricted or single-source procurement.
3. Technical Risk—Unique Energy has no experience operating and maintaining thermal power.
As an inexperienced contractor, Unique Energy may struggle with preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and performance optimisation—potentially leading to downtime, fuel inefficiency, or equipment damage.
4. Procurement Irregularity
If Unique Energy were selected without demonstrating technical capacity or past performance, it could violate the “responsiveness” and “qualification” criteria under the Public Procurement Act 2022.
5. Accountability Gap
If Unique Energy was selected without a competitive process or clear justification, it becomes difficult to benchmark performance, enforce KPIs, or hold the contractor accountable for underperformance.
6. Reputation and Financial Exposure
NAWEC and the Ministry risk public scrutiny, audit findings, or donor concerns, mainly if development partners financed or co-financed the contract.
7. Analysis of the O&M Contract with Unique Energy
A. Scope of the Contract:
• Covers six diesel generators across four power stations with a combined installed capacity of 52.8 MW.
• Involves critical national infrastructure and long-term operational responsibility.
B. Potential Red Flags if No Tender Was Conducted:
Violation of Competitive Bidding Requirements: If Unique Energy was selected without an open tender or GPPA-approved exception, it may breach Section 43 of the PPA 2022.
Lack of Transparency and Value for Money: The government may not have secured the most cost-effective or technically competent provider without competitive pricing.
Risk of Legal Challenge or Audit Sanctions: The contract could be reviewed or nullified if found non-compliant with procurement law.
Undermining of Public Trust and Market Fairness: Other qualified firms may view the process as exclusionary, discouraging future participation.
8. Charges and Payment: Monthly fees of USD 50,000 ( Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) per Month. These fees cover the services of the Operation and Maintenance contractor under this contract, including experts and expertise, to ensure the optimal performance and longevity of the Diesel Generator System and the power Plant.
9. The Procurement of Spare parts and other related materials and equipment necessary for the smooth execution of this Operation and Maintenance Contract. The Operation and Maintenance Contractor, in this case, Unique Energy, shall be responsible for procuring and delivering the required Spare parts, materials, and equipment necessary to execute this contract, under its obligation and with the approval of NAWEC. Late payment may incur additional Charges of 1.5 per Prorated.
10. NAWEC shall be required to provide a Bank guarantee in favour of Unique Energy within 30 days of the contractor’s start date, valued at three months of service fees and the yearly cost of Spare parts for all generators being covered. This payment Bank Guarantee shall serve as Security for any overdue payment exceeding 30 days. This guarantee shall remain valid throughout the contract term and for an additional 90 days post-termination, with all costs borne by the Client (NAWEC). Unique Energy reserves the right to draw upon this guarantee for any indisputable outstanding amount.
In Conclusion, bypassing oversight mechanisms—especially in high-value, high-impact contracts—undermines public trust and exposes the utility to operational and reputation risks. Strengthening transparency, enforcing procurement compliance, and ensuring technical due diligence are essential to safeguarding NAWEC’s mandate.
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Source: Open Gambia
