The Native Authority Front Initiative (NAFI), a community based Non-governmental Organisation (NGO), was recently launched by the people of Upper Niumi constituency, at the beginning of a three days Youth conference, organised by the constituency under the  auspices of Honourable Mam Cherno Jallow, National Assembly Member(NAM) for Upper Niumi.

The community base organisation is meant to empower the poor women and the youths. It is also a tool for economic emancipation of the poor and the vulnerable group within and outside the constituency as it is a social institution geared towards complementing government efforts in all aspects of human development in the Gambia.

Modou Marr, Assistant Governor who was deputising for the Governor of the North Bank Region, Edward Seckhan, presided over the launching and described the initiative as a clear manifestation of the people’s commitment towards developing their constituency and the Gambia as a whole.

The North Bank Region Assistant Governor urged the people of the constituency to do everything within their disposal to help in sustaining the organisation.

Lamin Queen Jammeh, Head Chief of Upper Niumi, gave historical background of the organisation, noting that the idea was initiated by Hon Mam Cherno Jallow, during his campaign in the 25th January National Assembly Elections. He added that Hon Jallow has a strong conviction that development has to be participatory and interactive and youth conferences of this nature should be organised as it will provide basic information on what problems, aspirations and needs of our communities within the constituency. “Each village therefore should sent in at least two representatives on gender equity.” he said.

Sambujang Conteh, Director General, RAID The Gambia, presented a paper on ‘youth and drugs.’ He described drug abuse as the main cause of madness among the youths of the Gambia, noting that almost half of the youthful population is admitted in Kampama, the trend which does not tell well about the country’s future development efforts.

Turgulor known as fishing community in both Juffereh and Albreda donated two crates of soft drinks, one crate of shrimps and cash amount of D3,500 to the organising committee of the conference as support to the conference.

In a similar development, medical items of anti shiropes for babies worth thousands of Dalasis was also presented to the community of Upper Niumi by the management of Banjul Pharmacy through the Department of State for Health and Social Welfare.

The items were presented to Chief of Upper Niumi, Lamin Queen Jammeh by Amadou Sowe, Programme Coordinator and Health Education Officer, Department of Medical and Health Unit in Banjul.