A Bill that seeks to establish the legal, economic and institutional basis to promote the use of renewable energy resources was on Thursday unanimously approved by lawmakers during the fourth meeting of the 2013 Legislative year. Tabling the Bill before deputies, the Energy minister, Teneng -Ba Jaiteh, reminded them that access to adequate, reliable and affordable energy is fundamental and necessary for the attainment of national developmental objectives as enshrined in the Programme for Accelerated Growth and Employment (PAGE) and the Vision 2020. The minister opined that there cannot be any meaningful and sustainable development without sustainable energy supply. She said energy supply is not an end in itself but a means as supporting social services such as education and health.
"The Gambia currently depends heavily on the use of wood and charcoal and, fossil fuel to meet its energy requirements. Electricity generation in The Gambia is mainly dependent on fossil fuel (heavy fuel oil and diesel), which is the most expensive mode of electricity generation, especially for an oil importing country like The Gambia," she stated.
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