Gambia protesters burn tires over prolonged power outages
In Gambia, protesters burned tires at night and erected barricades on the streets of Banjul and around the capital, protesting against prolonged power outages. Police used tear gas to disperse people who also gathered near the official residence of President Adama Barrow, Daily Maverick reports, citing a Reuters witness and residents.
According to a Reuters witness, protesters chanted, “Barrow must go.” Some residents reported power cuts lasting up to 48 hours. In the city of Farato, protesters gathered near the residence of Vice President Mohammed B. S. Jallow and destroyed banners at the office of the ruling National People’s Party.
President’s promises
Barrow acknowledged that power disruptions are affecting people’s daily lives. He explained the situation by record electricity demand, failures of major generating units, and seasonal conditions that reduce hydropower generation.
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After visiting facilities of the national utility company, National Water and Electricity Company Ltd, the president said Gambia would receive new generators this week, while electricity supply is planned to be restored by the end of October. According to him, the government is completing the installation of an additional 24-megawatt generating unit and has signed a contract to build a 50-megawatt solar power plant.
Demand due to heat
On August 15, NAWEC reported an unforeseen increase in peak-period electricity demand due to high temperatures. It also reported a technical incident involving one of the main generating units on the import line and warned of the need for supply restrictions in several parts of the country.
Information Minister Ismaila Ceesay apologized to people affected by the outages and said officials were working to stabilize and improve the reliability of electricity supply. After the protests subsided before dawn, resident Ousainou Jammeh joined a group of young men who extinguished fires with water and cleared barricades. Traffic in Banjul returned to normal in the morning.
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