By Makutu Manneh
President Adama Barrow at a press briefing revealed that his government is expecting nothing less than 50 million dollars as a grant to purchase fishing boats under a fishing project.
He said the project will provide all the necessary equipment for young people to venture into fishing.
He stated that he has tasked senior government officials to enquire about the already constructed market in Brusubi Phase One for women vendors to sell their products.
“As we speak, senior officials are looking at that market because the market is built basically for women. I will be visiting the market personally and we will invite the women so that they will do business there,” he said.
The Gambia’s Head of State said this while responding to a question on the plans he has for women vendors that are affected by the ongoing road clearing in the country.
He said he is aware of the complaints surrounding vacating vendors from roadsides but that the people have to understand that they cannot govern the country by doing things the way they want, noting that the law has to be followed.
He said there are available empty spaces inside most of the markets but women are competing and have the notion that when they sit outside the market they will have more customers which is why they are occupying the roadsides.
On the side of the youth, the president said they are expecting nothing less than 50 million dollars as a grant under a project in which they will purchase fishing boats with all the necessary equipment in it for young people to venture into fishing.
He said this time it will be different because they will train the youth first and make sure that they are ready to work and take ownership after which the boat and materials will be allocated to them.
“This will create jobs for them and will contribute to the economy. With this we can export and bring foreign currency into the country,” he said.
The president continues that the government taking the youth to Saudi Arabia is formalized and all the legal aspects of it are intact, adding that all documents are signed and the security of the youth are guaranteed and their rights will equally be respected.
“Everything is guaranteed and the government is doing everything to protect our citizens. This is a formal process that is not informal,” President Barrow emphasised.
