By Kebba Jeffang
Consumers in the Greater Banjul Area (GBA) are now experiencing longer
periods of electricity outage and water shortage every day for the past week and are complaining about the negative effects it is having on businesses and households.Some areas do not have electricity and water from 7am to midnight daily.
Anfaal Kassama, a resident of Bundung Borehole, said they are among
the worst hit areas as there is no electricity during the whole day
and water also does not come until after mid-night.
“It is the water supply that concerns us most as we cannot stay
without it for a whole day because we need to drink, eat and wash every
time,” he said.
The lack of electricity and water supply nowadays is also affecting
small economic operators who depend on these utilities to support
their businesses.
Maimuna Faye, who sells ice block and cold water at the Latrikunda
Sabiji market, explained how she is losing out in her business for
this past week due to the long periods of daily electricity outage.
She said it has been very difficult for her to realize income for fish
money in order to provide lunch for her children.
A grade 12 year student at Nusrat Senior Secondary School also
complained about the lack of electricity during the night which
affects his studies at home.
Abdoulie Jammeh said he is a final year student who does a lot of
reading at home in the night and that they do not have electricity in
the evenings before he retires to bed. He said the ‘black out’ in the
night is really affecting him in his academic work at home.
Fatoumata Jallow, a young lady from Brufut, also confirmed the
negative impact that this recent poor electricity supply has on them.
She said sometimes they stay for more than 24 hours without electricity.
A resident of Abuko also lamented the water shortage in their community
which is causing discomfort to people and households.
When this reporter visited the NAWEC head office at Kanifing to
enquire about the cause of this widespread shortage of water and
electricity outage, he was connected to Mr. Pierre Silva, the Public
Relations Officer (PRO) of the company, through the land phone in the
security room at the entrance.
PRO Sylva said he was just coming from the GRTS and preparing for
provincial tour. “I have no time to make comments on any issue right
now until I come back on Monday,” he said.
Foroyaa will get back to him on Monday to enquire about the cause of
the problem and when it will be addressed.]]>
