By Momodou Justice Darboe
President Barrow Youth for National Development, BYND, Thursday briefed the media about a donation of 228 motor bicycles to the organisation by unspecified donors.
The intervention is aimed at helping the group in the implementation of over 150 youth-related and poverty eradication projects across the country.
BYND also briefed the media on the donation of two borehole drilling machines to the group as part of sustained efforts in responding to the needs of youth through skills acquisition and other productive ventures.
During the briefing, the media also learned about a donation of 50 milling machines to BYND and according to Kebba Lang Fofana, the machines would be distributed to some needy communities in the country soon.
Mr Fofana, who is the Secretary General of BYND, explained:” We have 228 motor bicycles as gifts from generous donors which will be distributed to the youths of this country in order to complement the national development efforts of the government.
“In addition to that we’ve received two borehole drilling machines and currently over 30 youths have been identified, trained by well-qualified Gambian borehole drillers in borehole drilling; from drilling component itself to the electrical component to pipe-laying and distribution component. These youth, once qualified, will be certified and eventually they will be empowered with required materials to become entrepreneurs of this country,” he added.
BYND secretary disclosed that his group has sufficient equipment to drill and install 50 boreholes of 10,000-litre capacity.
Responding to the question as to whether the motorbikes are not part of efforts in promoting President Barrow’s political ambitions, Mr. Fofana said:” People are entitled to their opinions and if people say this may be part of greater efforts for Barrow to return to the State House, you’ll not be out there to say they are lying or they are saying this or saying that. The most important thing here is Barrow Youth for National Development and Barrow as an individual are two different things. We are an organisation that is apolitical.”
Also briefing the press, Seedy Lamin Bah, Programme Officer of BYND, enthused that:” As part of our development efforts to contribute to national development,we are tasked with the responsibility of helping community development and in order to do our work in the communities, we need operational tools. So, receiving these items will help us to access areas that we want to go when we go on the ground.”
