The deputy governor of the Central River Region (CRR)?has reaffirmed his region's readiness to host this year's National Youth Conference and Festival (NAYCONF 2012).

Malang Saibo Camara, who assured the organisers - the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the region's commitment to make the biennial event successful, was speaking recently during the inauguration ceremony of the Festival's National Organising Committee at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi.

A staggering amount of D2.8 million has already been budgeted for this year's festival, scheduled to take place from the14th to the 22nd December 2012 in Janjanbureh. With the theme: "Directing and reorienting youth participation towards the productive sectors of the economy", the event that is to attract 1500 youths, is expected to come out with strategies and recommendations that will achieve the nation's cream participation in national development.

In the words of Deputy Governor Camara, the Local Organising Committee in the region under his auspices has already been put in place, and are conducting series of planning meetings in accessing the facilities to be used during the course of the festival. "I am assuring the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), and the National Youth Council (NYC), and all other youth group that come December 2012, we will extent to you the hospitality of the people of CRR," he promised.

He intimated that the LOC has already been engaged in the sensitisation of key stakeholders and the communities to effectively coordinate and brace up for their responsibilities and challenges. "I hope that this assertion underscored the reality that the stakeholders and youths are well on cause and prepared to host this very important national event," he added.

Camara further expressed his delight at hosting the event, saying: "This is indeed a reflection and a constructive step of Gambian youths and the Ministry's recognition and greater regard for my region." On behalf of his region, the deputy governor thanked the government, the Ministry, and the entire youth population for giving them the opportunity to host Nayconf 2012.