Delegates participating in the conference component of the 2008 biennial National Youth Conference and Festival, have expressed dissatisfaction for what they described as 'unfair' treatment from some of the moderators during the conference sessions.

The complainants alleged that they were been deprived from expressing their opinions and contributions, and that, even if they were allowed to speak, they would soon be cut off before putting through their point.

Concerned delegates who spoke to the Daily Observer at the grounds in NBR, expressed discontent with the manner in which they are been treated. Lamin J Gassama, vice chairman of Western Region Youth Committee, underscored numerous importance on the conference aspect of the youth gathering, stressing it can only be of importance, if the participants were given the opportunity to speak out their mind without any distraction. But this, Mr Gassama said, is not prevailing in the conference hall.

"This is not a workshop where we can come only to talk and reach no tangible terms," he said, looking strain and frustrated. Lamin Saidy, another conference delegates noted that he had come to the conference with the hope that it would be educative and interactive, given that it involved the convergence of the entire Gambia youth population. He however expressed dismay that when he previously reached the conference hall, it became apparent that the moderators were not accommodating.

Making reference to the presentation by the secretary of state for Youths and Sports who elaborated on his department's mandate and commitment in the attainment of the needs of the youths, stated that youth were collaborators in the attainment of their mandates in order to make the conference more reciprocal.

Abdou Boye  a youth representative from the Kanifing Municipality said NAYCONF is a national issue that everyone has the right to contribute fully in order to make it successful, while Lamin Darboe, secretary general of the local organizing committee of NAYCONF for Western Region, said that the event belongs to every Gambian under the category of the young people.

Lamin Camara, head of the conference sub-committee, in his reaction to the concerns raised by the delegates, promised to provide 100% satisfaction to express their views during the conference sessions. According to him, what they do, as the conference sub-committee, was to facilitate the availability of resource persons for the delegates.