29/05/2026
On a recent episode of Coffee Time with Peter Gomez on West Coast Radio, Galo Saidy, Managing Director of National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), delivered a forceful defense of the institution amid rising public anger over persistent power outages.
With tensions already high across the country, Saidy pushed back sharply against accusations from opposition parties including the United Democratic Party and the United Movement for Change, accusing them of turning the electricity crisis into a political weapon. He insisted the ongoing blackouts are not deliberate, not politically engineered, and certainly not in the interest of the government especially at such a sensitive moment.
He described the situation as a deeply complex national challenge rather than a simple case of mismanagement or intent, warning that the realities of power generation and distribution make quick fixes unrealistic. In a pointed remark, he suggested that even those currently criticizing NAWEC would struggle to resolve the crisis if they were placed in charge today.
Saidy did not hold back when addressing what he called the growing “political noise” around the issue, arguing that some actors are deliberately exploiting public frustration to push narratives rather than contribute to solutions. According to him, this blame game only deepens public confusion while distracting from the technical work needed to stabilize the system.
On the operational front, he revealed that NAWEC is currently holding the grid together through a combination of locally run generators and output from existing solar installations, as the country continues to navigate wider regional energy constraints.
He also acknowledged a critical weakness within NAWEC communication. Saidy admitted that the company has not been effectively engaging the public, relying too heavily on digital platforms that fail to reach many citizens. Moving forward, he said, NAWEC is shifting toward more aggressive public outreach through radio and television in an effort to reconnect with the population and restore trust in the midst of the crisis.
