Dabanani Electrical Company Ltd.

Power Consultants/Contractors
Mamadi Manjang Highway,
Kanifing
P. O. Box 2390, SERREKUNDA, Kombo St. Mary’s Division, The Gambia
🕾 +220 229 02 22 / 394 31 76 Email: aefconteh@gmail.com
BACKGROUND
A community engagement activity happen in Makumbaya village is a village located in the West
Coast Region in West Coast Region Kombo North District. The meeting gathered three
communities by the name Makumbaya, Galoya, Kubariko. The meeting was held at the Alkalos
compounds in Makumbaya between the hours of 15:00 to 17:30 on the 26th December 2023. The
report is offered as a summary of the things discussed on the day of the meeting. Although every
reasonable effort is made to discover and correctly interpret indications of all things said during
the meeting. It must be understood that no guarantee of quality is expressed nor implied nor
responsibility assumed by the reporter for the things expressed by the community members.
OBJECTIVES OF THE MEETING
 To discuss the status of the electrification project
 Grievance Reporting
 To receive community feedback as to the expectation of the project.
MEETING ATTENDANCE
The meeting was attended by key stakeholder from the community including the Alkalo of
Makumbaya, Kubariko and Galoya, VDC Chairmans and imams of the mentioned communities
to mention. See list of attendance attach below.
MEETING AGENDA
 Prayers/Introduction
 Project information
 Grievance
 Identification of Grievance reporting mechanism and Uptake
 Question and Answer

INTRODUCTION
The meeting was open with prayers by the Imam of the Makumbaya village then an introduction
by the Community Liaison Officer and Gender Base Violence Officer who highlighted the
purpose and the significance of the visit to the community and the project at large.
PROJECT INFORMATION
The information of various coverage of the project was given to the communities which are as
follows: Makumbaya will have 2 Transformer and 490 poles, Galoya 1 Transformer 50 poles
and Kubariko 1 Transformer 163 poles.
Pictures below show the team members during deliberation.

GRIEVANCE
The grievance highlighted by the community include the lack of consultation with the
community before the commencement of the project not from NAWEC or any stakeholder
involve in the project. This particular issue was highlighted by the three communities. In their
deliberation they said the lack of consultation is the reason why the priority areas identified by
the community were not identified. For this reason, the community is not very welcoming of the
project because key areas are exempted. Majority of the poles allocated in each community are
located in non-residential areas of the community. This they say is more of a loss to the
community and there project in general because it will not serve the purpose.
Among other issues highlighted include Inconvenience due construction activities and
installation of electrical infrastructure. Road closures, noise, and other inconveniences during
project implementation. The use of land without prior consultation brought up some issues
which the community has to deal with. The other issue of highlighted community boundaries
which the project overlap. Environmental Impact concerns about the environmental impact of the
electrification project.
During the deliberation it was highlighted that all these factors are put into consideration to avoid
any unforeseen circumstance that might arise during the further stages of project implementation.
The team during their contributing of the meeting started that he is available for an complains
that might arise during the implementation of the project.
GRIEVANCE REPORTING MECHANISM
To promote community base solution to the problems that might arise from the projects. The
community were given the liberty the reporting mechanism that best suit the community. After
several suggestions the community finally agreed with the CLO to direct all complain on any
form of grievance to the VDC Chairman who will put the Alkalo in the picture and the CLO will
be notify through written letters. For problems requesting immediate attention the problem will
reported through phone calls or other medium that can get his immediate attention. Aman by the
name Modou Manneh who is a member of the VDC was Idnetified as the Gender Base Violence
Focal person.

CHALLENGES
The key issues identified during the deliberations by the community are as follows:
 Lack of consultation during the initial survey of the project leading to the neglect of
key areas.
 The encroachment of land by the project without the consent of the Alkalo of the
village members.
 Key areas are being neglected during the initial survey.
 Limited number of poles allocated to the community.
Discussion of challenges faced in engaging with the community The EHS manager promise to
forward all the concerns faced by the community to the Project Manager for further action
and possible rectification.
RECOMMENDATIONS
 The Alkalo and VDC to be informed of any action that will be implemented in
the community.
 Seeking the consent of the Alkalo and VDC before any survey
 Seek help in identifying the community boundaries from the relevant stakeholders.
 Increase the number of poles allocated to the community.
Community Engagement Pictures
ATTENDANCE LIST MAKUBAYA
ATTENDANCE LIST KUBARIKO
ATTENDANCE LIST GALOYA