Gambia News: Vice President Inaugurates Barra-Essau Power Station

Jul 28,2007 00:00 by Anna

Gambia Journal - Vice President Isatou Njie Saidy on Wednesday July 25th inaugurated the Barra-Essau electric power station; the station is to serve 46 surrounding villages and is part of the Rural Electrification Program. The inauguration is part of the celebration of the thirteenth anniversary of the July 22nd coup. Speaking on behalf of President Yahya Jammeh, Mrs. Njie-Saidy said that the power plant is a manifestation of the Gambian leader’s commitment to the welfare and development of Gambians. She said it is part of Mr. Jammeh’s bigger plan of turning The Gambia into what she called a city state. She said the Gambian leader and his Government are aware of the shortcomings of the electrification program but that it has to be born in mind that the project is a very capital-intensive one. She pledged government’s determination to carry it on to the end in spite of what she called the non-availability of funds. Mrs. Njie Saidy went on to warn the management of the NAWEC utility company that no mismanagement of assets will be tolerated and that a viable maintenance culture must be observed. She also used the opportunity to point out to the communities that they also have a responsibility to see to it that utility bills are paid in time. Other speakers in the ceremony include NAWEC’s Managing Director Momodou Jallow and Chairman of the Board of Directors.