By Dawda Baldeh
Vendors at the Serrekunda market over the weekend called on NAWEC to stabilize the supply of electricity and water. They raised concerns over the constant power failure from NAWEC, which led to the damage of properties and affected businesses within the market.
Over the years, the availability of water and electricity has become a major concern to many communities within the country.
Speaking to The Fatu Network, Aja Sanden, a vegetables seller says their businesses has been badly affected due to the constant NAWEC power failure. She added that It has not only affected their businesses but also let them to sleepless nights as the struggle for water continues at home.
“The constant on and off from NAWEC has really affected our businesses at the market,” Aja Sandeng said. “We want NAWEC to stabilize the supply of electricity and water. Our fish and vegetables are getting spoil everyday and we are losing a lot.”
She adds that life has become extremely unpleasant for vendors at the market as they always struggle to freeze their fish. She strongly believes that NAWEC is not doing what is expected from them.
“I don’t know if NAWEC is aware of the challenges they are putting us to buy they should apologize to us.
NAWEC is really punishing us especially at Dippa Kunda we only get water at 3am which is very sad,” she explained.
The freezing of fish, meat and other vegetables cannot be done in the absence of water and electricity.
Ramata Taal, another fish seller says the challenges caused by the inadequate electricity supply are huge and she explain. She adds that it has also affected their daily worshiping.
“We are really losing a lot from our businesses because we cannot freeze our fish and at the end of the day we will throwing the fish,” Ramata Taal said. “We really need electricity and water to do our business. We find it difficult to observe our five daily prayers because we don’t have water.”
Fatou Jeng, a fishmonger called on NAWEC to stabilize the supply of water and electricity. She told this medium the mechanism they use to preserve their fish to minimize total loss of income.
“Our business is very slow because we don’t have water and electricity to freeze our fish,” she said. “If NAWEC can help and stabilize the supply of water and electricity for us it will really help.”
Alhagie Jallow a butcher at Serrekunda Market told The Fatu Network that the lack of adequate electricity supply has affected their income earning.
“I feel very uncomfortable to sell meat at the market because we don’t have water and electricity. Our meat gets spoiled everyday because we don’t have ice to store it. I also want the president to help us to stabilize the market price because a like of meat is very expensive and we don’t want that for our customers,” he said.
It appears that NAWEC has been at the center of critics from all the people we spoke to at the market. However, NAWEC is mandated for the provision of electricity, water and sewerage service in The Gambia.
