By Sariba Manneh
Lawmakers Monday called for increased focus on youth employment and participation to advance the nation’s development.
During a session at the National Assembly, the Member for Lower Nuimi, Tamsir Cham, reiterated the need for concerted efforts from the Government to improve youth employment and security in the country, adding that the government should put more efforts on the country’s borders for improved security.
“With these, I am appealing to the government to put more effort into the security of the Gambia as armed robbery attacks become more and more rampant in the country, particularly in my constituency of Lower Nuimi, and in my village of FassNjaga Choi. Every year armed robbers attack people in my constituency and I urge the government to put more effort into eradicating such attacks in the country,” he said.
On sports and sporting activities in the country, Cham said the government is doing a lot, but said they should work even harder to eradicate the use and trafficking of illicit drugs including ‘Kush’, in the country.
On his part, the Member for Janjanbureh Hon. Omar Jammeh, expressed his frustration with the president’s speech where nothing was said about how the government plans to deal with the deadly drug ‘Kush’. Jammeh said in his constituency, many young people who have been deported from Europe, now find themselves in the streets jobless as there are no jobs for them. He said these people could end up being drug addicts and thieves and posing a danger to the nation.
On his part, the Member for Banjul North, Hon. Modou Lamin B. Bah, also expressed similar frustration about the president’s speech for not mentioning anything on the mental issues of young people, which he said is a serious concern for Gambians. He said the government should also do a lot to improve the situation at the country’s only mental health care center at ‘Tanka Tanka’, which faces challenges and awaits government’s intervention.
Vice President Muhammad Jallow who represented the president at the Legislative Chambers on Monday, 1 July 2024, responded to NAMs saying the government will look at all their concerns to provide lasting solutions.
