The financial budget of the 2008 National Youth Conference and Festival (NAYCONF) is estimated at the tune of more than D3.3 million dalasis, the Daily Observer can reveal.

This amount was disclosed recently by stakeholders during the inauguration of the National Organising Committee (NOC) of the 2008 National Youth Conference and Festival, scheduled for the month of December, 2008, in Farafenni, North Bank Region.

According to the organisers, this amount would be used to fund all the activities during the course of festivities, among them, are the conference, feeding, accommodation, transportation, etc.

The amount is also intended to be used in the funding post NAYCONF activities, which are also crucial to the overall success of the event.

The post activities includes the implementation of resolutions passed by the young people during the conference, which are geared towards solving the problems that impedes on their growth and development.

With barely eight months left to this biannual august national event, the organisers are on edge as to the responsiveness of potential donors. However, one thing that remains obvious is that the occasion is a national one. Therefore, given its importance; as it offers the youth the platform where to discuss pertinent issues, and explore means through which they can contribute to the socio-economic development terrain of the Gambia.

Alhajie Kebbeh, Chairperson of the National Youth Council (NYC), who is also the chairperson of the 2008 Netcong National Organising Committee, is keen to remind the society that the traditional constraints of finance should not interfere with this noble venture in the eyes of everybody

Kebbeh called on the government, the private sector, the UN System, and all other funding agencies, as well as the entire Gambian populace to come on board and give assistance to the 2008 NAYCONF in a bid to achieving greater success.

The youth council's Chairperson used the occasion to commend President Jammeh and his able Vice President for their strong financial aid during the 2006 NAYCONF.