By Olimatou Coker
The Government of The Gambia, through the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), has signed $11.9 million contract with Chinese energy firm TBEA to rehabilitate and upgrade electricity infrastructure across the Greater Banjul Area.
The 18-month Gambia Electricity Enhancement Project (GEEP) was signed on Friday at the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines and is expected to benefit more than 80,000 people in 40 communities.
The project will focus on rehabilitating medium and low-voltage networks, upgrading transformers, installing modern equipment and expanding electricity connections.
Nawec Managing Director Gallo Saidy described the agreement as a major milestone in strengthening the country’s power infrastructure.
“Today’s signing of the Gambia Electricity Enhancement Project contract between Nawec and TBEA marks an important milestone in our efforts to strengthen The Gambia’s electricity infrastructure,” he said.
He said the true measure of the investment would be improved service delivery for consumers.
“For our people, the real measure of this investment will be more reliable electricity, fewer outages, improved service delivery and greater access for households and businesses,” he said, adding that stable power supply would support economic activity, education, healthcare and community wellbeing.
Mr Saidy attributed the project to the enabling environment created by the government and the longstanding partnership between The Gambia and the People’s Republic of China.
He appealed for public support as the utility works to address persistent power challenges.
“There are steps happening in the background that are going to make sure that these issues that they are confronting today become a thing of the past in the future. So we’re just asking the Gambian people and all our stakeholders to give us support. We can only do it together,” he said.
Outgoing Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia, Liu Jin, said China was aware of the country’s electricity challenges and remained committed to supporting solutions.
“As sincere friends and reliable partners of the government and the Gambian people, the Chinese side wants to give you a hand to facilitate your efforts,” Ambassador Liu said.
“The Chinese government will use this project to support the Gambian government to upgrade the power infrastructure, enhance supply reliability, and meet the urgent expectations of the people,” he added.
Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mines, Nani Juwara, welcomed the agreement, saying it demonstrates government’s commitment to expanding access nationwide.
“Access to reliable and affordable electricity supply nationwide is no more a privilege, but a human right, and therefore we will not relent in our efforts until we achieve universal access,” he said.
He said the deal covers engineering, procurement and construction of distribution networks, including medium and low-voltage lines, transformers and meter connections.
TBEA (Tebian Electric Apparatus) is a Chinese company specialising in power transmission and clean-energy solutions. According to information presented at the ceremony, the company has supplied power equipment to over 90 countries and undertaken engineering and construction projects in more than 40 countries.
The signing comes as consumers in the Greater Banjul Area continue to experience frequent outages, with some areas reporting interruptions lasting several hours.
The government and NAWEC said the project is expected to strengthen the distribution network and improve reliability of supply in the beneficiary communities.