By: Kemo Kanyi
Special presidential adviser Momodou Sabally has asserted that the government of President Adama Barrow has opened several job creation avenues for the Gambian youth.
Sabally said the government has been playing its role in stemming youth unemployment by introducing policies to support the expansion of the job markets such as construction, manufacturing and allied industries.
He, however, pointed out that jobs in the construction and manufacturing sectors are not fancied by Gambia youth, saying such jobs are at times taken by foreigners.
“The construction[industry], hospitals, and schools will all create employment for youth, where nurses, doctors, and cleaners would be recruited, and so many other avenues opened by the government,” he stated.
Sabally recalled the president’s industrial tour, saying there are manufacturing factories in The Gambia, producing animal feeds, biscuits and beverages.
“Who are making those products? The Gambian citizens. The establishment of Bell Bottling Company in Bonto is also one of the developmental projects blessed by the current government, which opened job opportunities for Gambian youth,” Sabally told Star TV “NAYA” show on Thursday.
He stated that the World Bank has ranked The Gambia among 20 fastest growing economies in Africa, indicating a 6.2% growth.
He maintained that the government is doing quite well, explaining that economic growth supports employment creation.
Sabally called on the youth to make an attitudinal change and get involved inmany projects in the country. He continued: “I have seen private sector projects in the country for apartment construction by the sea shores. Most of the people working there are either from Guinea Bissau or Sierra Leone. Gambian youth are not fancying such kind of jobs. I think we need to change that mentality. You refuse to do some kinds of jobs in The Gambia but when you travel to other countries, it’s the same kind of work that you will be doing there. This is one of the problems that has contributed to the increment in youth unemployment. There are jobs but the kind of jobs that people are seeking become the problem. If you want to be a mason or a tailor, go and train but to refuse to learn skill and want to work. Where are you going to work? Honestly, we cannot all sit in offices.”
Sabally hinted that former President Yahya Jammeh was wrongly blamed for the surge in “Backway” numbers.
“This is why hypocrisy is not good. Some were saying Yahya Jammeh was not creating employment for youth and that’s the reason they weretravelling through the “Backway”. Are the youth still not using the “Backway”? So, this is the attitude that needs to change and that’s beyond the current government. It must be discussed to resolve otherwise the issue of “Backway” can’t be solved,” he stated.
Sabally cautioned youth to exploremeans of safe migration.
“People should travel but when travelling, use a route that’s safe and would not burden you and your parents. Many parents are currently indistress because youth are in a hasteto attain financial success. That’s why I always emphasize patience whenadvising the youth. We must be patient,” he underlined.
