Photo: AP

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, shown in 2006 after his election to a third five-year term. (AP photo)

The Gambian leader has promised to provide at least five fishing boats for young people in the coastal villages, to enable them venture into the fishing trade. His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh made this promise Sunday in the coastal village of Kartong in Kombo South District while addressing thousands of people, as part of his ongoing 'Dialogue With the People Tour'. He also thanked the villagers for the warm welcome accorded to him and his delegation. The president said the requests he expected to hear from the coastal youths and what they have requested were quite different. His words: "What I was expecting when I come here was that you will request for boats and tell me that you [the youths] want to replace foreigners who are currently dominating our fishing market, but this was not the case. All what I need is your commitment. If you show your commitment to venture into fishing trade, I will provide at least five fishing boats for each coastal settlement, starting from Kartong to Banjul, through Sanyang, Brufut, Tanji and Bakau." President Jammeh said it is only a fisherman that earns up to D100, 000 in a week in this country, adding that, "there is no farmer that can earn that amount in a week". He promised the young people in the coastal settlements that they would also benefit from the D39M package earmarked for the youths, but in a different venture with the provincial youths.

He continued: "What are the youths doing as Gambians? How can you allow all these resources to foreigners go out of the country like that? How can we kick-out poverty when we are not making the best out of what Allah has endowed us with?" The president said this attitude must change and young people must be engaged in meaningful ventures. "We have been advising young people since 1994 to venture into skillful trade to have the blessings of their parents and as from now on we are going to make agriculture and fishing compulsory," he declared, while promising to provide five fishing boats for all those coastal settlement before March 2014. Discipline

The Gambian leader used the opportunity to also decry the indiscipline in schools. He said the school is a learning centre and that if anyone allows his/her child to be undisciplined, then a teacher cannot discipline that child in school. "A child who lacks discipline in his home cannot be disciplined at school. So you shouldn't blame children for their indiscipline but blame yourselves for not disciplining them," he said.

Locals' accountFOO

The alkalo of Kartong, Alhaji Demba Jabang, thanked President Jammeh and entourage for holding a meeting in Kartong. The alkalo then appealed on behalf of the villagers for an extension of electricity, potable drinking water, as well as a health centre in his village. The chief of Kombo South, Alhaji Mustapha Touray, also joined Alkalo Demba Jabang in welcoming the president and his entourage. He spoke extensively on the level of unity within the Kombo South District. He disclosed that land dispute is one major challenge that is affecting his district. He then appealed for government's intervention to help them identify their district boundaries. He disclosed that himself in collaboration with all the alkalolu in the district has counseled their people settling on the reserved lands of the Tourism Development Area (TDA).

Also speaking at the meeting, Ba-Foday Touray, Kombo South Youth mobiliser, informed the Gambian leader about their level of preparation for the rainy season. He said they have already cleared four farmlands. Momodou Mbaye Jabang, who spoke on behalf of the youths, also thanked President Jammeh and praised him for the numerous developments he has brought to the people of Kombo South. He also listed a number of projects being enjoyed by the youths of Kombo South under the APRC government, among them the peri-urban and Gambia Competitiveness Commission projects. He assured the Gambian leader that they are more than ready to revive the village youth "Kafoos".

The National Assembly member for Kombo South, Abdou Kolley; Lamin Jamba Jammeh, Yankuba Colley and Mba-Nyima Bojang, all spoke at the meeting. They all praised President Jammeh for the numerous developments he initiated.