Youths urged to access the KR11.8 million fund

——–Government has urged youths in the country to
take advantage of the KR11.8 million released for the establishment of youth
driven enterprises.

Mungwi District Commissioner Joyce Chanda said this in a speech read
for her by Mungwi District Agricultural Coordinator Jacob Shawa at
this year’s youth day celebrations held at Natasha Pre-School in
Mungwi today.

Mrs. Chanda said the creation of a youth centre at Chishimba Zambia National Service camp
would not only provide opportunities to young people in the province to acquire necessary skills for creation of viable enterprises but will also make them contribute to national development  meaningfully.

She said this year’s youth day theme; “Opportunity for the youths
through enterprise” was appropriate because it was in line with the
Patriotic Front government policy that considers youths as the
engine for national development.

Mrs. Chanda said government has priotised national youth programmes
through comprehensive and multi-sectoral plans in the sixth national
development for establishment of more youth enterprises.

Meanwhile, the District Commissioner has called on young people to desist from engaging
in vices such as alcohol and drug abuse.

Mrs. Chanda said government was concerned at the high rate of alcohol
and drug abuse by youths in the country.

She said alcohol and drug abuse increased the risks of contracting
HIV/AIDS hence the need for youths to keep away from them.

And speaking at the same occasion Orgainsing Committee Chairperson,
Francis Phiri said addressing problems of young people in the country
required concerted efforts from all stakeholders.

Phiri said young people also needed to be involved in planning if all
their needs were to be adequately addressed by the government.

Various youths in the district attended the colourful celebrations
spiced up by entertainment activities which included drama, poetry and
cultural dances.