Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) has secured police permission for a major peaceful protest tomorrow, Friday, June 19, 2026, targeting the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) over what the group describes as the utility’s failure to resolve the country’s persistent electricity and water shortages.
In a statement released today, GALA announced that the demonstration will proceed from Jimpex to NAWEC Headquarters in Westfield between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Organizers are urging participants to bring buckets, torchlights, empty water containers, and placards to symbolize the daily hardships citizens face due to prolonged blackouts and water scarcity.
“Electricity and water are necessities, not privileges,” the group declared. “No Water, No Power, No Silence!” GALA emphasized that all participants must remain peaceful, disciplined, and law-abiding, following the granting of an official police permit.
The protest comes amid widespread public frustration with NAWEC’s inability to provide reliable service, which critics say has persisted for years despite repeated government promises. Many Gambians in the Greater Banjul Area (GBA) and West Coast Region (WCR) continue to endure extended power outages that disrupt businesses, healthcare, education, and daily life.
In response to the planned demonstration, NAWEC Management issued an internal security notice on Thursday, June 18, urging staff to prioritize safety. The memo, addressed to all employees, acknowledges the protest’s expected location near the NAWEC Head Office and stresses respect for the right to peaceful assembly while prioritizing staff well-being.
Key precautionary measures outlined in the notice include, among others, that all staff and official vehicles must enter the Head Office premises by 8:30 AM, after which access controls will be strengthened and entry will be denied.
The memo asks that Field operations staff must suspend all movement to and from the Head Office from 8:30 AM onward, and Vehicles, especially those bearing NAWEC identification or logos, are strongly advised to avoid protest routes.
NAWEC Management stated that it will continue to monitor developments and may adjust work arrangements accordingly. The notice encourages staff to “remain calm, prioritize personal safety, and support one another during this period.”
The convergence of GALA’s protest and NAWEC’s internal precautions highlights the growing tension surrounding the energy crisis. While GALA demands immediate and tangible solutions, NAWEC appears focused on ensuring operational continuity and staff security during what is expected to be a significant public demonstration.
Analysts note that tomorrow’s protest could serve as a litmus test for public patience with utility reforms. As Gambians prepare to take to the streets with symbols of their struggles, the eyes of the nation will be on both the demonstrators and NAWEC’s response to long-standing infrastructural challenges.
