Honourable Cabinet Ministers,

Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service,

Chief of Staff, Office of the President,

National Assembly Members,

Representatives of the World Bank and the European Investment Bank,

Security Chiefs,

Senior Government Officials,

Governor and Local Government Authorities,

Members of the Media fraternity,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

With honour and profound appreciation, I thank the Almighty Allah for the blessing of gathering here to inaugurate the 23 MWp Solar PV Plant before us.

Before proceeding, however, I must seize the opportunity to thank the Alkalo of Jambur village, who is the host of this beautiful solar plant.

Similarly, we are thankful to him, together with the Chief of Kombo South and the Governor, West Coast Region, for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to all the guests present.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

A little over a year ago, we  assembled here to lay the foundation stone for this ambitious project. Today, we have delightfully returned to commission the Plant for it to begin delivering clean energy into the national grid. This achievement would not be possible without the collaboration of all the partners who executed the project diligently and in a timely manner. I am happy to state that it is the first project of its kind in the history of the nation.

Gladly too, it has come at a time when the whole world is promoting investment in renewable energy, particularly through solar energy projects.

As this is a utility scale solar PV plant, we have designed it to significantly reduce the country’s reliance on imported fossil fuel for electricity generation. In the same vein, the project is to accelerate the pace towards generating fifty (50) percent of the nation’s power supply from renewable energy sources by 2030.

This is our national target, and the message is clear: as a responsible member of the international community, The Gambia is committed to the global energy transition. The Plant project clearly demonstrates the country’s commitment to reducing the carbon footprint and greening our energy landscape.

Further to this, as a clean energy source and a major vehicle for climate change mitigation, the solar plant will contribute to the realisation of The Gambia’s Nationally Determined Contributions.

Considering that the country has a vast potential to tap solar energy, this solar plant is part of an aggressive campaign to install more and bigger solar power plants. Our driving force is the ambition to achieve the nation’s sustainable energy policy goals.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we inaugurate the first grid-tied Solar PV Plant today, the Government is working with partners to implement a 150 MWp regional solar power park.

We plan to launch the tender for the first 50 MWp in the second quarter of the year for implementation through an independent power producer (IPP) project.

At this point, it is necessary to remind you that, as a vital infrastructure project that can serve the country for decades, it is essential to jealously protect the project assets. I need not belabour the point that it is a collective responsibility to take proper care of the facility so that it serves our energy needs and lasts long.

In fulfilment of this responsibility, I call on you to immediately report to NAWEC, or any suitable authority, anyone who destroys any of the project assets. This is the only way we can make full use of the facilities.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Government gratefully acknowledges that  the World Bank, the European Union, and the European Investment Bank funded this project. I thank them on behalf of the entire nation.

With similar appreciation, I convey profound gratitude to the contractor, consultant, and the project management team for working diligently to deliver as expected.

The neighbouring communities supported and cooperated with the implementing agents during the implementation of the project. We thank every one of them.

With this brief statement, it is my singular honour and privilege to declare the Jambur 23 MWp Solar PV Plant officially open for operations.

Thank you for your  attention.