Youths at NACONF debate MP Njie’s Representation in Parliament

By Kebba Jeffang During an ‘open discussion’ at the just ended 11th edition of the biennial National Youth Conference and Festival (NaYConF) held in Soma, LRR, Hon. Seedy Njie’s representation in the National Assembly was debated. This took place on Thursday, 18th December, 2014 in Jenoi during opendiscussion in the conference component of the activities. It was said that Mr. Njie was nominated by the President of the Gambia based on constitutional mandate triggered by an earlier NaYConF resolution for him to represent the interest of young people in the assembly. As discussion was ongoing, the question as to whether the nominated National Assembly member is performing to the expectations of the youth or not emanated with the feeling that their views and concerns are not represented at the assembly. One speaker said: “Honourable Njie is not democratically elected but nominated. He was nominated upon our request but since he is not representing our interest, it is important we advocate for his change. It is essential to look into that.” “His nomination was just a hand pick. This is a youth gathering where we are discussing our concerns for a step to be taken. As a youth representative in the parliament, why is he not here with us? The Ministry of Youth and Sports should not have selected him as our parliamentarian,” a young lady asserted. Fabakary Kalleh, the Chairman of the National Youth Council (NYC) recalled that Seedy Njie was nominated by the president because they felt that youth representative is needed in the parliament. He said it was through a NaYConF resolution that the youth asked assistance from the President to include a youth representative among the five persons he is constitutionally empowered to nominate to the assembly. “We appealed to the President and he has chosen Seedy Njie to represent us and I don’t know (on what criteria was he) chosen,” he disclosed. In response to one of the speakers who said the youth parliamentarian was recommended by the ministry of Youth and Sports, Musa Mbye, Director of Planning and Programmes at the Ministry of youth and Sports clarified that his ministry does not have such a mandate adding that Hon. Njie was not selected by the ministry but nominated.]]>