Transformer Fault Leaves Bakary Sambou-Ya Residents in Days-Long Power Outage
Bakary Sambuya Community Transformer
By Edward Francis Dalliah, Jr.
Residents of Bakary Sambou-Ya community in the West Coast Region (WCR) recently experienced a prolonged power outage after a transformer serving the area developed faults, leaving many households struggling to preserve food and carry out basic economic activities.
Upon receiving information about the incident, our reporter contacted the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) for confirmation and to find out what measures were being taken to restore electricity to the community.
Responding to our reporter, NAWEC’s Communications Officer, Mr Buba Badjie, confirmed the development, explaining that “there was an issue with their transformer, and a team was sent there upon receiving the information.” He added that the team carried out “some repairs, but that did not last long”, which resulted in “another technical team revisiting and coming up with a recommendation to change the whole transformer to a new one".
Mr Badjie further told our reporter that, after their recommendation, the transformer was replaced “late afternoon” on Friday, 6th March 2026.
Our reporter also contacted a community member who confirmed that the electricity supply has since been restored. However, residents say the outage had already caused significant losses, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, when many households rely on electricity to preserve food.
Information received by our reporter from a community member pointed out that one Abdoulie Gaye reported “having thrown away a lot of fish bought because there was no electricity to preserve them”. Residents further explained that the outage, which began earlier in the week, prevented many households from using refrigerators and other electrical appliances needed to store food for Ramadan. According to several community members, the transformer in the area has undergone multiple repairs by NAWEC since installation, and some residents report that the supply often delivers low voltage.
The prolonged outage and intermittent cuts have also affected businesses in the community. One shop owner, Ousman Keita, said, “this prolonged power outage and cuts have significantly retarded my business.” The incident highlights broader challenges facing electricity supply in The Gambia, where demand for power continues to increase while supply is limited.
