Power Ship Deal Costs Gambia Billions, Raises Questions.
A Turkish power ship floating near Banjul port has cost Gambia more than 10 billion dalasi since 2018. The ship makes power for the country's homes and businesses.
The deal with Karpowership started as a two-year plan. Leaders kept signing new deals, making it last seven years. The country pays about 1.5 billion dalasi each year for just 30 megawatts of power.
The money spent could have built something better. The same funds could create a power plant making 200 megawatts - enough for every home in Gambia. The latest count shows the nation has 297,581 homes.
The yearly payment equals the cost of building a new power plant. It looks like paying rent that matches the price of buying a house each year.
The deal hurts Gambia's money matters. The 2025 budget gives NAWEC, the power company, 1.4 billion dalasi to pay for the ship. This seems strange since people pay for power before they use it.
The deal makes Gambia's money worth less. The country must pay in U.S. dollars, which costs more as the dalasi loses value.
NAWEC shows signs of poor management. The power company has not shared checked money records since 2020. Many groups should watch NAWEC's actions, but none seem to ask hard questions.
The power ship deal goes against Gambia's energy plans. The government approved different ideas with the World Bank's help but kept the expensive ship running.
People want answers about the deal. They ask if the cost makes sense and if the ship follows the rules about protecting nature. The elected leaders must make NAWEC share details about the agreement.
The power ship blocks better plans for Gambia's future. The country needs its power plants on land, not expensive power from a floating ship.
A Turkish power ship floating near Banjul port has cost Gambia more than 10 billion dalasi since 2018. The ship makes power for the country's homes and businesses.
The deal with Karpowership started as a two-year plan. Leaders kept signing new deals, making it last seven years. The country pays about 1.5 billion dalasi each year for just 30 megawatts of power.
The money spent could have built something better. The same funds could create a power plant making 200 megawatts - enough for every home in Gambia. The latest count shows the nation has 297,581 homes.
The yearly payment equals the cost of building a new power plant. It looks like paying rent that matches the price of buying a house each year.
The deal hurts Gambia's money matters. The 2025 budget gives NAWEC, the power company, 1.4 billion dalasi to pay for the ship. This seems strange since people pay for power before they use it.
The deal makes Gambia's money worth less. The country must pay in U.S. dollars, which costs more as the dalasi loses value.
NAWEC shows signs of poor management. The power company has not shared checked money records since 2020. Many groups should watch NAWEC's actions, but none seem to ask hard questions.
The power ship deal goes against Gambia's energy plans. The government approved different ideas with the World Bank's help but kept the expensive ship running.
People want answers about the deal. They ask if the cost makes sense and if the ship follows the rules about protecting nature. The elected leaders must make NAWEC share details about the agreement.
The power ship blocks better plans for Gambia's future. The country needs its power plants on land, not expensive power from a floating ship.
