Adama Barrow to OMVG Heads of State: “Pay Your Contributions…”

In his capacity as the current chairperson of the Gambia River Development Organization (OMVG), President Adama Barrow has called on his counterparts from OMVG member countries to pay their contributions to realize the electricity interconnection project. Adama Barrow was speaking in Guinea Conakry after he had a guided visit to the installations of the interstate Souapiti hydroelectric dam. He was accompanied by the Guinean Prime Minister, Ibrahima Kassory Fofana, the Minister of Energy, and several personalities. 

Adama Barrow congratulated his host and Guinean President Alpha Condé, who paid Guinea’s contributions to cover 2021.

“I appeal to the presidents of the other countries, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, and Guinea, that everyone releases their contributions to ensure that this project delivers on its promise. I know how the budget issue is a challenge for the organization. That is why I call on all OMVG heads of state to prioritize this project, given its social utility. I also urge people to take ownership of this project. It is a social project that is beneficial for all the populations of our country. So, I urge everyone to ensure that we can succeed in this work so that it benefits the populations,” said Adama Barrow. 

The Gambian head of state expressed hope to inaugurate the electricity interconnection project in The Gambia latest October.

Before going to the Souapiti dam construction site, President Barrow, who also chairs OMVG (organization for the development of the Gambia river), was briefed on the electricity interconnection project between Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Senegal, and The Gambia.

OMVG High Commissioner Elhadj Lansana Fofana told President Adama Barrow that when completed, the interconnection project will cover a total of 183 kilometers of high voltage in The Gambia with two substations installed in Soma and Brikama. “This setup will be able to cover a good part of the electricity needs of The Gambia,” the OMVG High Commissioner, Elhadj Lansana Fofana, told President Adama Barrow.

President Adama Barrow was apparently impressed by the quality of the gigantic Souapiti hydroelectric dam, which is hope for Guinea and the West African sub-region. Visibly satisfied with the work carried out on the dam building site, the Gambian Head of State stressed the importance and attention he gives to the dam infrastructure, which, according to Adama Barrow, “is part of the ambitious interconnection project that people deeply care.”

“I thank the President of the Republic of Guinea and his government for allowing me to come to this site and see this project. I dread helicopters, but given the importance of this project, I wanted to take the risk because I had to come and see the site and report the progress made so far. As President, I am the representative of the Gambian people, and this project is of social concern to all my people. So I am interested in it in more than one way, “said President Adama Barrow.