By Seedy Jobe
The advocacy group Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) on Friday delivered a petition to the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), giving the utility a 10-day ultimatum to restore reliable electricity and water services nationwide.
The petition was presented during a protest at NAWEC’s headquarters, where GALA members gathered to express frustration over what they described as the utility’s prolonged inability to provide consistent access to essential services.
Reading the petition on behalf of the group, GALA spokesperson Omar Saibo Camara announced that the document was addressed to NAWEC’s Managing Director under the subject: “10-Day Ultimatum for the Resolution of Reliable Electricity and Water Supply Across The Gambia.”
Camara said the petition reflected widespread public dissatisfaction with recurring power outages and water shortages that have affected households, businesses, and public institutions across the country.
“We, Gambians Against Looted Assets, hereby submit this petition to express our profound concern and outrage over the persistent failure of NAWEC to provide reliable and adequate electricity and water supply to the people of the Gambia,” Camara stated.
According to the group, years of intermittent electricity and water services have imposed significant hardships on citizens, with many communities continuing to experience frequent disruptions despite repeated assurances from the utility provider.
GALA said it was no longer interested in what it described as promises and explanations, insisting that immediate and measurable improvements were needed.
“We are not seeking further promises, excuses, or timelines. Public relations statements. We are demanding tenable actions and measurable results,” Camara declared.
The group subsequently issued a formal 10-day deadline, calling on NAWEC to take all necessary steps to restore stable electricity and water supply throughout the country.
“Accordingly, GALA hereby issues a 10-day ultimatum to NAWEC to take all necessary measures to restore and normalise reliable electricity and water supply across the Gambia,” he read from the petition.
The organization warned that failure to achieve meaningful and sustainable improvements within the stipulated period would prompt further action through lawful and constitutional means.
“Should NAWEC fail to demonstrate concrete and sustainable improvement in the supply of electricity and water within the stipulated 10-day period, GALA will reserve the right to pursue lawful, peaceful and constitutional means and actions to hold NAWEC, its managing and relevant public authorities accountable for the continued failure,” Camara said.
The petition concluded with what the group described as its three non-negotiable demands: the restoration of reliable electricity services, the restoration of consistent water supply, and immediate action within the specified timeframe.
“Our demands are clear. Restore electricity. Restore water. Ten days. No excuses and no delays,” Camara emphasized.
The petition was signed by Omar Sanyang, General Secretary of Gambians Against Looted Assets.
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