The National Youth Service Scheme (NYSS), under the purview of the department of state for Youth and Sports, last Friday, disbursed an amount of D900 000 to 22 Ex. Corps members at a ceremony held at the scheme's orientation camp, Bakau.
 
Presiding over the ceremony, Sheriff Gomez, secretary of state for Youth and Sports, said the government of The Gambia through his department, had been working tirelessly over the years to meet the growing demands to young people. He said that the NYSS was established by government with the sole aim to ensure self reliance, to discourage urban drift and reduce poverty. He added that unemployment is a complex and growing problem globally in which The Gambia is not an exception.

According to him, with such a huge disbursement, the circle is almost completed on their part and it is now the responsibility  of the recipients to make sure that they reciprocate and give back the returns for the benefit of others coming. He urged them to employ their techniques and show diligence with honesty as the market is very tough and competitive. 

Gomez also advised the recipients of the money to make best use of "this rare opportunity." He   thanked   The Gambia Priority Employment Program (GAMBJOBs) for recognising NYSS as one of their partners in helping youth realise their dreams in national development.

For his part, Malang Nyassi, GAMJOBs' national project co-ordinator, described the ceremony as a historic occasion marking the beginning of a partnership between GAMJOBs and the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSS) in addressing the employment challenges of youths through access to credit.  According to him, the government of The Gambia, with support from UNDP and other   donors, launched GAMJOBs, whose overall objective is to give effect to the development of a "skilled, versatile, dynamic and efficient work force".

He urged the recipients of the loans to set good record, as it would be important for any future support to their colleagues and many youths who are waiting to receive such assistance.

Musa Mbye, the executive director of NYSS, said his institution has been occupying a very significant part in the development drive of creating employment opportunities for young people in the country, "especially in the form of skills development and access to credit for business support start ups." He noted that the monies been disbursed is not meant for solving their personal problems, but to complement their efforts to sustain their businesses, and he advised them to put it into good use.

Alhagie Baboucarr M Saho, chairman of the NYSS Board, urged the beneficiaries to invest the money into good business to help them create job opportunities for the youths.