GALA Gives Energy Minister 10 Days to Explain Power Crisis and Address Leaked Karpowership Letter

By Seedy Jobe

A civil society group on Friday gave the Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mines a 10-day ultimatum to publicly address the country’s deepening electricity and water shortages and to clarify the authenticity of a leaked letter that allegedly warned of the risks associated with ending the Karpowership agreement.

The demand came during a protest organized by Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), which submitted a petition accusing the government of failing to act on warnings contained in a letter reportedly written by the minister to President Adama Barrow on April 7, 2025.

According to GALA, the leaked correspondence raised concerns about the consequences of allowing the Karpowership contract to expire without securing a reliable alternative source of power generation. The group said the letter warned of inadequate generating capacity, operational challenges, and the likelihood of widespread electricity shortages that could have significant social and economic consequences.

Those concerns, GALA argued, appear to have materialized as communities across the country contend with recurring blackouts and disruptions in water supply.

“Today, Gambians across the country are experiencing severe electricity outages and water shortages,” the petition stated. “Homes are in darkness, businesses are suffering losses, hospitals and schools are affected, and the daily lives of ordinary citizens have been disrupted.”

The petition framed the issue as one of public accountability, citing constitutional provisions that place governmental authority in the hands of the people and require transparency in public administration.

GALA argued that citizens are entitled to know whether senior government officials were aware of the risks associated with the termination of the Karpowership arrangement and, if so, what measures were taken to prevent the current crisis.

The group outlined five specific demands for the minister. It called on him to confirm or deny the authenticity of the leaked letter, explain the circumstances surrounding the decision to allow the Karpowership agreement to lapse, disclose whether the concerns identified in the letter were communicated to relevant authorities and acted upon, provide a detailed account of the factors that contributed to the current electricity and water shortages, and present a clear timetable for restoring reliable utility services nationwide.

The petition warned that continued silence from public officials would undermine constitutional principles of transparency and good governance.

“The continued silence of public officials on a matter of such national importance would be inconsistent with the principles of transparency, accountability, and good governance enshrined in our Constitution,” the group said.

GALA further warned that it would escalate its campaign if the minister failed to provide what it described as a satisfactory public response within the stipulated period.

The organization said it was prepared to pursue “all lawful and constitutional means” to seek accountability, including a nationwide campaign calling for the minister’s resignation.

“This petition is not merely about a leaked letter,” the group said. “It is about the suffering of Gambians, the right of citizens to know the truth, and the responsibility of public officials to account for decisions that affect the lives and livelihoods of the people.”

The petition, signed by GALA’s General Secretary, Omar Sanyang, concluded with a call for immediate transparency and remedial action, arguing that access to reliable electricity and water remains a fundamental expectation of citizens.

“The Gambian people deserve answers. The Gambian people deserve accountability. The Gambian people deserve reliable electricity and water,” the petition stated. “We therefore give you ten (10) days to tell the Gambian people the truth.”