President Adama Barrow has laid the foundation stone for an electric power substation in Soma, Lower River Region.

The station is part of a subregional hydroelectric project with Senegal, Guinea Bissau and Guinea called the River Basin Development Organisation (OMVG).

President Barrow says that electricity is a major catalyst and driving force for national development.

“The striking electricity demand and supply in The Gambia is enough to highlight the significance of this project.

“The disparity also reflects the justification for the strong emphasis in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018 to 2021 on attracting investment, improving access to electricity and enhancing household energy security for national development.”

He acknowledged the OMVG member states’ continuous commitment to strengthen sub-regional integration and also providing the support necessary for the realisation of this important project, adding that the project stands to revitalise its relations and strengthen their solidarity.

Barrow paid tribute to the African Development Bank (ADB), the Islamic Development Bank and the French Development Agency among others including the OMVG member states for mobilising 722 million U.S. Dollar for the project.

Lasana Fofana, OMVG High Commissioner, thanked the OMVG member states for their commitment towards the realisation of the interconnection project, adding that construction of sub-station in other member states has commenced.

He called for the total support of the head of states of the OMVG for the realisation of this important energy project.

Basirou Jallow from the ADB, said the OMVG project will promote the sharing of energy and improve electricity supply in the member states by providing clean and cheaper electricity.

The sub-station is designed to link the eastern part of The Gambia through the NAWEC interconnection networks. It will increase the current 40% access to electricity by 20%, and the generation capacity from 102 to 250 megawatts.

Governor Fatou Jammeh-Touray, said the project is another milestone in the socio-economic development of the country, while describing it as long overdue.

The ceremony was attended by the Vice President Ousainou Darboe, cabinet ministers, representative from the OMVG member states, service chiefs and other senior government officials.