By: Alieu Ceesay
The National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), The Gambia’s sole electricity provider, has issued a stern warning to individuals and businesses engaging in illegal electricity connections, threatening legal action and severe penalties. The announcement comes as the company intensifies efforts to curb unauthorized connections that undermine its operations, cause revenue losses, and pose significant safety risks to communities.
During a field visit to Bato Kunku in the West Coast Region on Tuesday, NAWEC’s Managing Director, Gallo Saidy, addressed the discovery of approximately 25 illegally connected electricity meters at a site previously linked to a former president’s garden. Saidy emphasized a zero-tolerance policy, stating, “If you are caught, there is no massaging about the problem. If it’s an NAWEC staff member, we’ll deal with you, and we’ll even take you to court.” He warned that such violations not only disrupt the company’s operations but also destabilize the national power grid, leading to widespread issues like low voltage and outages.
The illegal connections, often bypassing regular cash power payments or direct metering, have been identified as a significant contributor to NAWEC’s financial and technical challenges. Saidy announced that the company plans to conduct nationwide inspections to identify and remove illegally installed meters, with affected areas facing temporary blackouts. “If it’s from the public, we will remove those meters, and we will not reconnect you because what you have done is wrong,” he stated, underscoring the impact on service reliability.
The issue is not confined to Bato Kunku. NAWEC officials confirmed that illegal connections are prevalent across urban and rural areas, prompting the deployment of monitoring teams to the provinces. Baboucarr Awe, Senior Manager of Transmission and Distribution, highlighted the broader implications of these unauthorized setups. “Such connections have very negative effects on our network, causing instabilities, outages, and technical losses with financial consequences,” Awe explained. He noted that substandard installations pose severe safety risks, including electrocution, which could result in loss of life.
NAWEC’s leadership also addressed internal accountability, with Saidy warning that any staff found complicit in facilitating illegal connections would face immediate dismissal and legal action. “If you’re an NAWEC staff member and found guilty, you will not be a staff member anymore,” he asserted.
The company urged customers to adhere to proper procedures for electricity connections to ensure a stable power supply and protect public safety. NAWEC’s crackdown reflects its commitment to improving service delivery and safeguarding its infrastructure, which has been strained by years of technical and financial challenges.
As NAWEC ramps up its enforcement efforts, the public is encouraged to report suspicious connections to help maintain a reliable and safe electricity network. The company’s decisive stance signals a broader push to restore order and efficiency to The Gambia’s power sector, with potential ripple effects for the nation’s energy stability.
