Inadequate Funds Hinder Rural Electrification, Says VP Njie-Saidy
Friday 7th September 2007

By Abba Gibba, Baboucarr Senghore & Ya Sainey Gaye

The Vice President and Secretary of State for Women’s Affairs Mrs Isatou Njie-Saidy has said inadequate funds have slowed the progress of the rural electrification project.

She made this revelation in an answer to a question Honourable Njai Darboe of Jarra West Constituency had asked her.

He had asked why the Rural Electrification Project, which had already covered most of the villages in Jarra West, was yet to be extended to the Kabada area of Jarra West and other places such as Jenoi, Sikunda, Jiffin and Jabbisa.

The Vice President explained that due to insufficient funds for the Rural Electrification Programme the course of the programme would take longer than initially expected.

According to the Vice President, the underlying criteria will be the technical feasibility, economic and financial viability.

She added that the government of The Gambia recognised the importance of electricity in the socio-economic development of this country, which was why it was committed to electrifying the nation. “However, you will agree that this undertaking is capital intensive,” she said.

In response to a question asked by Honourable Kabba Touray of the Lower Saloum Constituency, the Vice President said villages in Lower Saloum would be part of the distribution of electricity and would be highly considered in the next Phase of the Rural Electrification Programme.

She told the House that the entire country would eventually be electrified.

According to her, the Rural Electrification Project was being done in phase because of insufficient funds.

“However, due to scarcity of funds, the program is being implemented in Phases,” she told Honourable Ousman Bah of Sabach Sanchal Constituency who had asked whether his constituency would also enjoy the rural electrification project.

She added, “I am not in a position to inform you as to when specifically the programme will reach your constituency.”

Source:The Point Banjul.

The Freedom Newspaper recent lead story on the government plans to embark on recession has been confirmed by the Vice President Isatou Njie Saidy. This time around the VP has been honest enough to tell the true story regarding the Gambian economy. She said the government is "kaput" cashtrap. No funds, no investors to salvage the sinking economy. Her statement might not went down well Jammeh and the APRC, but this is the truth. There are dozens of other projects grounded due to lack of funds. The VP ought to have done the same thing when our kids were murdered by the soldiers. 

Sorry to the people of The Gambia. The VP is saying that there is no funds to run this government. Perhaps, Taiwan will give her some checks to bring home. Her job is on the line because Jammeh hates to see such confessionary statements online. Well, this is the hard fact. There is no funds at the Treasury Department. The VP has shamed the Jammeh supporters trying to falsify the current indications in The Gambia. How can you say that the economy is growing at seven percent rate, yet there is no funds to run projects? How can you say that Muhammed Bashi is a millionaire who is capable of transforming NAWET/NAWEC, yet there is no funds to bring electricity to our rural folks? How about Jammeh's bluffs that the entire country would be electrified before the end of his second mandate? Now we are in Jammeh's third mandate. Guess what? This government is a fake. What we have is bunch of criminals holding the country onto ransom. That's why Edward Singhatey decided to distance himself from some of the happenings in government. He has opted to study law, which is a commendable move. Edu knew that he is working with hopeless fellows and it was about time for him to find a career. There is nothing bad about that. Education is the key success to life. With his law degree, Edu can even one day provide free legal services to Jammeh. He is indeed a wise dude. Jammeh can sack him but he will stay with his legal mind. Other public servants should open their eyes and make a decisison about their future. Jammeh's government is on the brink of falling. Act now, before it's too late.