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The Commissioners, led by Chairperson Ousainou Ngum, presented the results of an evaluation of NAWEC’s performance for 2021-2022. The evaluation included NAWEC’s financial, technical, operational and management performance during the review period.
The committee determined that NAWEC achieved only 30% and 20% of its set targets for key performance indicators in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Executive Secretary Bai Madi Ceesay told the meeting that they would use 2017 as a benchmark for key performance indicators, adding that the Chairman provided NAWEC with the opportunity to sit down and develop strategies to address some challenges in order to achieve better performance.
Responding to the report, President Barrow said the “work of the SOE Commission is a good starting point to hold institutions accountable,” which is a key part of his government’s public sector reform agenda.
While acknowledging the challenges facing NAWEC, Chairman Barrow stressed that the agency must be held accountable for its performance and cannot make excuses. After acknowledging NAWEC’s recent efforts, the Chairman directed the Committee to implement the Committee’s recommendations while taking into account recent measures taken by NAWEC.
The report stated, “As NAWEC has failed to meet the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets set for 2021-2022, the committee will implement a 5% salary reduction. Considering the support NAWEC is currently receiving from the Government of The Gambia and its partners, the SOE committee will fully implement the next evaluation recommendations. It is recommended that top management take the challenges seriously as electricity is vital to the lives of the people and commitments to deliver must be kept.”
NAWEC officials argued that using 2017 as a benchmark for evaluation was unfair because NAWEC did not have audited accounts that year and faced a difficult transition.
Nani Juwara, former managing director and current minister of petroleum and energy, said using 2022 data would provide a fairer benchmark given the current situation and system improvements. He expressed hope that a good foundation would be laid for better performance.
Current Managing Director Gallo Saidy said they have accepted the decision and promised to work harder with the team to achieve better results. He stressed that the arrival of senior management “is proof that everyone is taking responsibility” to improve the company’s performance.
In his speech, Finance Minister Sidi Keita praised the SOE Commission and stressed that “NAWEC has a significant impact on the national economy,” affecting the cost of living and posing other fiscal risks. “Therefore, everyone must support the transformation,” he added.
In February 2023, President Barrow presided over the signing of performance contracts with state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to address the poor performance of some SOEs. Following the passage of the State-Owned Enterprises Act and the establishment of the SOE Commission, prominent Gambians with expertise in various fields were appointed to help SOEs improve their service delivery performance.
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