By: Abdoulie John
Hundreds of Gambians took to the streets on Friday in a peaceful but angry demonstration against the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), accusing the state-owned utility of chronic incompetence and of failing to provide reliable electricity after more than five decades of independence.
Organized by the pressure group Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), the protesters marched from Jimpex Junction through busy streets to NAWEC’s headquarters at Westfield. Many carried placards that captured the public’s frustration: “We are citizens not beggars!” and “We demand results not promises!”
Human rights lawyer Assan Martin, who addressed the crowd, praised GALA for mobilizing citizens against what he described as NAWEC’s “blatant inability” to maintain a steady power supply.
“No Gambian is spared from this power bankruptcy,” Martin told The Alkamba Times. “The protest has gained strong traction, especially among the youth, because the suffering is universal.”
For nearly a month, large parts of the country have been plunged into darkness, crippling businesses, disrupting daily life, and leaving many residents in despair. Martin rejected NAWEC’s frequent claims of insufficient funding, noting that the government has injected millions of dollars into the energy sector.
“NAWEC is a public company bound to deliver services. If they cannot meet expectations, drastic actions must be taken by the authorities,” he warned. “Otherwise the streets will speak. Heads must roll if poor service delivery continues.”
Martin called for a complete overhaul of all state-owned enterprises, stressing that they exist to provide essential services rather than operate as profit-driven businesses.
Protester Ousman Sonko echoed the anger, demanding transparency on public funds invested in NAWEC. “If they cannot work for the nation, let them leave,” he declared. “The country can no longer entertain incompetence.”
A resident of Sinchu Alagie, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed deep disillusionment. “Almost 60 years after independence, Gambians deserve a better electricity company. If there is a need to unleash hell on the current management, the government should not hesitate,” he said.
The demonstration highlights growing public impatience with recurring power crises. As businesses falter and households endure prolonged blackouts, pressure is mounting on authorities to deliver urgent and meaningful reforms at NAWEC.
