00:02In Tanji, home to Gambia's largest landing site, the stench of rotting fish is becoming an issue.
00:10The cost of ice used to preserve the fish has more than doubled since the ice vendors who often make
00:16it in home freezers do not have electricity.
00:22The storage facility and our refrigerators are not working, so we rely on ice blocks.
00:27One ice block used to cost $100, but since this energy crisis began, it now costs $300.
00:35All our fish is spoiled and there is no work. From 6 to 8 p.m., we do not see
00:40any customers.
00:42Since June, Gambia has been hobbled by prolonged blackouts.
00:47In Sukuta town, Amadou Gaye's electric mule was flocked by locals to grind millet, a staple in Gambia.
00:53Now he is unable to run the machine without power.
01:00The lack of electricity is really affecting our business.
01:05We depend on electricity to earn a living.
01:07This is the only job I have, and it's where I feed my family.
01:13Now I feel helpless.
01:24The blackouts have meant that Taylor Ebrima Kamara has had to sew using a foot pedal machine rather than his
01:32usual electric model as he struggles to complete orders for school uniforms for the new year.
01:40Because there is no electricity, power outages are frequent right now.
01:44I had to leave my workshop and come home because school is going to open soon.
01:50If I don't do this, there are too many uniforms to do and the children need new uniforms.
01:56That's why I came here to sew tonight.
01:59This machine works with the pedal, which is why I came here.
02:12The crisis is bad timing for Kamara, but it is also bad timing for President Adama Baru.
02:19It is making his already unpopular third term bid even more unattractive.
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