At least 2,000 Gambians have signed an online petition to demand the National Electricity and Water Company (NAWEC) to reverse its high cost on cash power tariff.

The company’s 37% increment on electricity tariff has sparked outrage among Gambians who say its too high in the current economic climate.  

The petition is being organised by social rights advocate group, Gom Sa Bopa.

In May, the group staged a peaceful protest to demand the company reverse the tariff.

“It is our strong belief that the increase does not commensurate with the increases in NAWEC’s operating costs and its sub-contractors providing these basic services to the Gambian people. 

“The increase also does not consider the huge amount of subventions which NAWEC benefits from taxpayers’ monies to pay their loans and many other expenses,” the group said in the online petition. 

“Our movement which is led by Team Gom Sa Bopa and other concerned Gambians has decided to come together to take a stand against the recent NAWEC Tariff increase because we are convinced that the increase does not consider the current earnings of low to medium-income workers in the country.

“If this extortionate Tariff continues many Gambians will not be able to pay for water and electricity forcing many more into poverty. 

“The alternatives don’t look good either with some people opting for boreholes which if many more are to adopt will have a significant impact on our water table thereby affecting our environment and crops’ access to underground water, it added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba