By MUHAMMED .S. BAH
The Managing Director of NAWEC has told members of the Public Accounts and Public Enterprise Committee (PAC/PEC) of the National Assembly that 76% of their revenue spending is on heavy, light fuel and lubricants for the operation of their generators to enable them execute their function on public utility provision.
Ebrima Sanyang was speaking on Monday, 16 May, 2016, during the scrutiny of the company’s annual report and Audited Financial Statement for 2014/2015 year under review.
NAWEC officials disclosed that institutions such as the local government authorities owed NAWEC huge sums of money on electricity which is not paid yet.
“For the local councils, they always complain about financial constraints in the payment of these debts, and NAWEC was working with the Ministry of Finance in taking care of some of these debts but still now it could not materialize,” said the NAWEC MD.
Mr. Sanyang also highlighted some of the strategies that are put in place to introduce renewable energy for the provision of accessible and affordable electricity to the general public.
Mr. Sanyang noted manpower, especially at the level of engineers, as well as transportation, ageing engines and the ever growing demand are part of the constraints and challenges that they are faced with.
The recommendations made regarding the way forward for the national water and Electricity Company is for them to replace engines and increase generation capacity with heavy fuel generator sets, upgrade the water treatment plant or to opt for river water treatment for Bansang, amongst others.
Another important issue raised by deputies during the scrutiny was the losses that NAWEC incurs in their operations and debt retrieval.
The NAWEC report was later adopted by deputies.
Earlier on the same day the Gambia National Library’s report was also adopted after scrutiny by deputies.
NAWEC officials
