The state of South Carolina in the USA recently honoured the Minister of Petroleum, Energy, and Mines, Nani Juwara, with a special congressional commendation in a move to acknowledge his visionary leadership in the country’s energy sector.
The certification of recognition was accorded during the African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Awards in Morocco and was received by permanent secretary Lamin Camara on the minister’s behalf.
On the sidelines of Mr Juwara’s ascension to the ministerial job, the country has completed a number of significant projects, although challenges in the energy sector remains, as citizens struggle for stable electricity.
Recently, The Gambia inaugurated the 225KV transmission line from Brikama to Jabang, which is the first national high voltage infrastructure in the country. The massive energy infrastructure is projected to ensure a dynamic shift for the better.
The petroleum minister is credited for strengthening the petroleum sector by attracting investment and advancing exploration efforts to unlock the nation’s potential, and he has also been hailed as the pioneering figure in the implementation of the Quarrying Regulations 2024, ensuring responsible mining practices, environmental sustainability, and compliance with global standards.
Emerging to be a key figure in the public affairs, he has not spent up to one year in the cabinet. He was appointed March last year in a surprising cabinet reshuffle by President Adama Barrow.
Mr Juwara was the head (managing director) of the state utility National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), which is The Gambia’s sole supplier of electricity and water, where his leadership proved key. As a semi-autonomous state energy company, NAWEC now falls under his ministry’s purview.
