The Gambia Should Not Still Struggle with Basic Utilities After 60 Years of Independence – Dibba

By Seedy Jobe

The National President of the Unite Movement for Change on Tuesday sharply criticized the government of President Adama Barrow, saying persistent shortages of electricity and water underscored a failure to address basic needs nearly six decades after independence.

In an audio message circulated on WhatsApp, Ebrima Dibba accused the government of remaining largely silent as complaints mounted across the country over unreliable utilities.

“Many people today are saying they don’t have water, and electricity is lacking,” Mr. Dibba said. “Yet there has not even been a word from the president and his minister of energy.”

He added that official responses had been limited to statements that, in his view, did not reflect the urgency of the situation. “They just release a press statement and leave. They are not concerned about people’s plight,” he said.

Mr. Dibba argued that The Gambia should not still be grappling with such challenges decades after independence. “The Gambia, after 60 years of independence, should not still be crying about lack of water and electricity,” he said, adding that other countries had made greater progress in addressing similar issues.

He also criticized a recent government pledge to expand electricity access nationwide, suggesting that existing supply systems were not adequately managed. “You cannot even regulate what you already have,” he said, accusing officials of making promises ahead of elections.

Mr. Dibba further expressed concern about the country’s reliance on imported electricity from neighboring Senegal, saying the arrangement left The Gambia vulnerable to external disruptions. “When their generator has a problem, The Gambia’s electricity also has a problem,” he said. “That means The Gambia is still not independent.”

The opposition figure also accused the government of failing to develop lasting solutions since taking office in 2017 and of increasing the country’s debt burden through infrastructure projects. Government officials have previously defended such borrowing as necessary for development.

Looking ahead to the next election, Mr. Dibba urged voters to support new leadership, singling out Talib Ahmed Bensouda as a candidate he believes could bring fresh ideas to governance.

“If you give him the country, he will wipe the tears of the youth, women, and men,” Mr. Dibba said.