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ECOWAS Project Delivers Electricity to 500,000 People in Three West African Countries
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Published 11/4/2026 10:02:11 PM
ECOWAS Project Delivers Electricity to 500,000 People in Three West African Countries – THISDAYLIVE
• $225m World Bank-funded initiative connects 490 localities in The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mali
•Mali seeks extension as ECOWAS holds final steering committee meeting in Abuja
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said its $225 million Regional Electricity Access Project has extended electricity access to nearly 500,000 people across 490 localities in The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Mali.
The achievement was disclosed at the 10th and final Steering Committee meeting of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Access Project (ECOWAS-REAP), which opened in Abuja on Tuesday to review implementation progress and determine measures for ensuring the sustainability of the project.
The World Bank-financed initiative is designed to expand electricity access in underserved communities across the three countries, as part of efforts to deepen regional energy integration and improve living conditions in West Africa.
Speaking at the meeting, the Director of Energy and Mines at the ECOWAS Commission and Chairman of the Steering Committee, Arkadius Koumoin, acknowledged the significant progress recorded despite challenges that affected implementation, including the COVID-19 pandemic and institutional disruptions.
He, however, stressed the need for concrete decisions and actions to ensure responsible closure of the project, noting that its success should ultimately be measured by the number of households effectively connected to electricity.
Koumoin’s position highlights the importance of translating infrastructure investments into actual electricity access for communities, rather than measuring performance solely by completed project activities.
The Managing Director of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), The Gambia, Gallo Saidy; the representative of Guinea-Bissau’s Ministry responsible for Energy, Pedro Jeus de Oliviera; and Mali’s National Director of Energy, Oussouby Mary dit Ousmane Diarra, reaffirmed their commitment to completing outstanding project activities.
However, Mali called for an extension to enable it to complete its outstanding work, underscoring the need to address implementation gaps before the project’s final closure.
The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for participating countries and the ECOWAS Commission to agree on the outstanding actions required to consolidate the gains of the initiative and ensure that beneficiaries continue to enjoy reliable electricity access.
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Chuks Okocha in Abuja
Despite the judgement of the Court of Appeal that dismissed the appeal of the Tanimu Turaki faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), filed by the Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, it said it was going on appeal to Supreme court.
The Special Panel of the Court of Appeal, yesterday, delivered judgment in the suit.
The appeal CA/ABJ/CV/1221/2026 filed by Wabara and 7 Others, against the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and six others, sought among other reliefs, an order vacating the judgment of the Federal High Court which refused to direct INEC to recognise the Interim National Working Committee led by Turaki, as constituted by the National Executive Committee meeting convened after the judgment of the Supreme Court.
The Panel presided by Justice Ugochukwu Anthony Ogakwu JCA, Justice Laja Balogun JCA and Justice Ruquayat Oremei Ayoola JCA (who read the judgment) upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court per Justice Salim and dismissed the Appeal.
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Ini Ememobong, stated that, “While we respect the judgment of the court, we are determined to take our quest for justice anchored on truth to the apex court in the land.
“It is our belief that no matter how deep the truth is buried, if those seeking it are persistent in digging, it will one day resurface. We have instructed our lawyers to immediately file an appeal before the Supreme Court, in the hope that justice will eventually be done.
“The Peoples Democratic Party must as an opposition party, offer alternative to the ruling party, and not become an appendage of it. Democracy survives only when the opposition is strong enough to effectively engage the government.
“We urge all or members to remain firm and resolute as we approach the highest court of the land. We trust that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that when this victory is finally won, the pains we are passing through will make a good story for the survival of multiparty democracy and the next generation.”
