Oasis Project Youth Association of Bakau (OPYAB) on Saturday organised a cleaning exercise at the Bakau Central Mosque.

Speaking at the Mosque premises, Chris Hayter, the chairperson of Oasis Project Youth Association of UK, who also doubles as the honorary president of the OPYAB, said the propose of cleaning the environment is to sustain health as it is paramount to the association, adding that the exercise is a step in the right direction.

She further said that people should not wait for the call of the president before they clean their environment. "Most people clean their environment on set-settal days only, which is [not proper] as cleanliness is part of Godliness," she remarked. She finally thanked the members of the association for their tireless contribution to national development.

From his part, Malang Keita, the president of the OPYAB, said the aim of his association is to maintain good health and contribute to environmental sanitation. He said cleaning the premises of Bakau Central Mosque is a step in the right direction and it is inline with the aims of his association. Keita emphasised that it is the duty of every Gambian to make sure that his or her environment is clean, and urged the members of his association to continue the good work.

The executive secretary of the National Youth Council (NYC) Marchel Mendy, commended the members of OPYAB association for the brilliant initiative. He said it is often said that cleanness is part of Godliness and that is why it is overwhelming and indeed important for the young people to take charge of their environment by cleaning it regularly. Mendy pointed out that such initiatives will have positive impact on the lives of the youths who constitute about 67% of the country’s population.