Human Rights Activist Jobarteh Accuses NAWEC of Systemic Corruption, Says Barrow Lacks Capacity to Govern

By Makutu Manneh

Madi Jobarteh, a human rights activist, has accused the National Water and Electricity Company of widespread corruption and mismanagement, alleging that senior officials have used their positions for personal benefit while the state-owned utility struggles to provide reliable electricity.

Speaking on Kerr Fatou’s Politic Kachaa show, Mr. Jobarteh alleged that some NAWEC directors rent their privately owned vehicles to the company and receive payments for their use. He also claimed that the utility has purchased spare parts that remain unused and stockpiled at facilities, including the Kotu power station.

Mr. Jobarteh said the unused equipment raised questions about NAWEC’s procurement practices, including whether inappropriate parts had been purchased or supplies intended for the company were being diverted.

“Managing directors and directors at NAWEC operate private businesses that supply goods and services to the company,” he said. “So NAWEC is a scam, full of corruption.”

Mr. Jobarteh did not provide documentary evidence for the allegations during the program, and Kerr Fatou could not independently verify the claims.

He also questioned NAWEC’s financial management, saying the utility was able to settle its obligations to Karpowership only after receiving financial support from the government. He argued that despite being a public enterprise tasked with providing electricity and water while generating revenue for the state, NAWEC has remained financially strained rather than delivering dividends to the government.

“A lot of the money getting into NAWEC, most of it is corruption,” Mr. Jobarteh said. “They are spending it on vehicles and their personal welfare.”

He called for greater scrutiny of the utility, arguing that persistent electricity shortages have imposed serious costs on households and businesses.

“It is high time Gambians address the issue of NAWEC seriously because the crisis is costing lives,” he said. “NAWEC is eating us while we are spending on them.”

Mr. Jobarteh also turned his criticism toward President Adama Barrow, saying the continuing electricity crisis reflected broader shortcomings in his administration.

He argued that Mr. Barrow lacked the capacity to effectively manage the presidency and said the country’s electricity problems could have been addressed more effectively if the president were surrounded by advisers willing to provide independent and objective counsel, both within the government and his political party.

The remarks come as NAWEC and the Barrow administration face heightened public scrutiny over persistent electricity disruptions, which have prompted protests and growing demands for improvements to the country’s power supply.