Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The opposition Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) has described the ongoing electricity outages across The Gambia as a national emergency, calling on the government and the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) to provide clear answers and a roadmap for restoring stable power supply.
In a statement issued on Friday, the party said the prolonged electricity crisis had moved beyond an inconvenience and was now inflicting serious economic and social hardship on households, businesses, and public services throughout the country.
The GDC said millions of dalasis were being lost daily as businesses struggled with rising operating costs linked to unreliable electricity.
The party also highlighted the burden on families, many of whom have been forced to spend additional money on fuel, water, and other basic necessities while enduring difficult living conditions caused by the persistent outages.
“The continued power outages have gone beyond mere inconvenience and have now become a serious national emergency with severe consequences for households, businesses, healthcare services, communication systems, and the economy as a whole,” the statement said.
The party further warned that the tourism sector, a major contributor to the Gambian economy, was facing growing reputational risks due to the instability of electricity supply.
While acknowledging that utility providers may face unforeseen operational challenges, the GDC argued that weeks of disruptions and uncertainty required more than calls for public patience.
The party said Gambians deserved transparency, accountability, and regular updates on the causes of the crisis and efforts being made to resolve it.
“We therefore call on the Government and the management of NAWEC to provide the nation with a full and honest account of the causes of the current situation, the immediate measures being undertaken to restore stable electricity, and the long-term plans aimed at strengthening our energy infrastructure,” the statement added.
The GDC stressed that access to reliable electricity is essential for economic growth, healthcare delivery, education, job creation, and national development, arguing that sustainable progress could not be achieved amid persistent power shortages.
The statement comes as consumers across the country continue to report extended periods of blackouts, raising concerns about the impact on businesses, public institutions, and daily life.
Positioning itself as a responsible opposition party, the GDC said it stood in solidarity with Gambians affected by the crisis and urged all stakeholders to place national interest above political considerations.
The party also called for prudent management of public resources and renewed investment in a resilient energy sector capable of meeting the country’s growing demand for electricity.
“The suffering of Gambians must not be normalized. The people deserve solutions, and they deserve them now,” the statement concluded.
The statement was signed by Hon. Mamma Kandeh, Secretary General and Party Leader of the GDC.
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