President Barrow Launches Major Water Supply Initiative to Expand Access to Clean Drinking Water
President Adama Barrow At The Launch Ceremony
By Buba Gagigo
His Excellency, President Adama Barrow, officially launched the Water Supply Improvement Project (WASIB) in Sifoe on Saturday, marking a significant milestone in The Gambia’s effort to provide safe and reliable drinking water to its citizens. The initiative is expected to benefit more than one million people in the Greater Banjul Area and surrounding communities.
The ambitious project, financed through support from the European Investment Bank and the Government of France, will significantly expand the country’s water infrastructure. It also entails institutional reforms, including the separation of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) into two independent entities for water and electricity services. This restructuring is aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and facilitating targeted development in the respective sectors.“On Saturday, H.E. President Adama Barrow launched the Water Supply Project in the Greater Banjul Area (WASIB) in Sifoe. This project aims to provide safe and clean drinking water to over one million people in the West Coast Region and surrounding areas. During the event, President Barrow announced the separation of NAWEC into two entities: water and electricity. The President stated that the objective is to focus on developing and implementing appropriate water projects nationwide. The project is a testament to the government’s dedication to ensuring access to water nationwide,” the Information Ministry said.
According to the Ministry of Information, the Water Supply Project for the Greater Banjul Area (WASIB) seeks to:
- Extend NAWEC’s water network by 300,000 meters
- Increase national water production capacity by 25%
- Establish a modern Water Quality Monitoring Laboratory
- Improve water supply services for 920,000 residents
- Provide access to clean water for an additional 80,000 beneficiaries
- Commission 14 new boreholes, including four deep wells
This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring universal access to potable water and advancing sustainable water management nationwide.