Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) has issued a warning to the government and the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), threatening to mobilise a nationwide protest on June 19 if the country’s worsening electricity crisis is not significantly addressed.

The group’s spokesperson, Omar Saibo Camara accused NAWEC of attempting to shift blame for the persistent power outages while failing to take responsibility for what it described as years of poor planning and weak management in the energy sector.

GALA argued that NAWEC’s recent admission that The Gambia remains heavily dependent on imported electricity and lacks adequate backup generation capacity exposes serious shortcomings in the country’s energy planning.

“Backup systems are meant for emergencies. If they are unavailable during a national crisis, then the institutions responsible have failed in their duty to the Gambian people,” the group said.

The movement said businesses are losing money, students are studying in darkness, health facilities are facing disruptions and households continue to endure prolonged blackouts.

According to GALA, the current situation cannot be blamed solely on regional electricity supply challenges, insisting that it is the result of a system that has been poorly managed and inadequately prepared for foreseeable disruptions.

“The Gambian people deserve more than explanations and apologies. They deserve transparency, accountability and concrete solutions,” the statement added.

GALA further demanded that those responsible for repeated failures in the electricity sector be held accountable and that the public be informed about measures being implemented to prevent future crises.

The group warned that if there is no noticeable improvement in electricity supply and no clear accountability by mid-June, as previously indicated by NAWEC, it will proceed with plans for a lawful nationwide demonstration on June 19.

“The continued suffering of Gambians cannot be normalised while those responsible continue to offer excuses instead of solutions,” he said on behalf GALA.

Declaring that “the people have waited long enough,” the movement said June 19 would serve as a deadline for accountability, urging the government and NAWEC to act before citizens take to the streets to demand change.

“Enough excuses. Enough failures. The Gambian people deserve accountability, reliable electricity, and a government that works in their interest,” he added.

By Adama Makasuba