By: Kebba Ansu Manneh
A massive power outage has plunged the Greater Banjul Area into darkness, with impeccable sources close to the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) attributing the blackout to a spark at an OMVG transformer station in Brikama. The incident, reported earlier today, has disrupted electricity supply across the region, leaving residents and businesses without power.
According to a reliable informant within NAWEC, the nation’s sole supplier of electricity and water, the blackout stemmed from a spark at one of the OMVG transformer stations in Brikama. “I can confirm that the blackout is due to a spark that occurred at one of the OMVG transformers in Brikama,” the insider revealed.
“I can also confirm that the engineers are all at work to locate where the spark occurred and restore the supply.” However, the source cautioned that the timeline for restoration remains uncertain, stating, “I cannot say whether the supply can be restored in an hour, two, or three.” NAWEC engineers, alongside OMVG officials, are reportedly on the ground, working diligently to pinpoint the exact location of the spark and expedite repairs.
The OMVG transformer station, a critical component of the region’s power infrastructure, is part of the Gambia River Basin Development Organisation’s energy project, designed to bolster electricity supply across member states.
Buba Badgie, NAWEC’s Public Relations Officer, could not confirm the precise cause of the blackout when contacted, but verified that restoration efforts were underway at the time of this report. “We are actively working to address the issue,” Badgie stated, declining to provide further details as the situation develops.
The blackout has caused significant disruptions across Greater Banjul, affecting households, businesses, and essential services. Residents have taken to social media to express frustration, with many calling for urgent upgrades to the nation’s aging power infrastructure.
As NAWEC and OMVG officials race to restore electricity, the cause of the spark remains under investigation. Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the extent of the damage or a definitive timeline for power restoration. This developing story will be updated as new information emerges. For now, Greater Banjul remains in the dark, awaiting the return of power.
