Hundred and twenty youths in Eastern Province have been rescued from the jaws of unemployment by the Government under the Youth Empowerment project being implemented by the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts.
High unemployment levels among youths prompted Government to allocate K 3 Million in a motorcycle empowerment program in Eastern province, targeting youths.
Arriving in Chipata, the marvel of the bicycles on the streets being used as a mode of transport greets you but it`s labour intensive and in some instances slow. The bicycle empowerment has elated many youths who’ve been upgrade from the bicycle business into motorcycles.
The motorcycle empowerment handover ceremony which took place at Chipata College of Education had Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts Hon. Elvis Nkandu leading the delegation of other government officials.
Also in attendance was Eastern Province Minister Hon. Peter Phiri, Provincial Permanent Secretary Mr. Paul Thole, The Mayor of the City of Chipata Mr. George Mwanza, Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts Acting Director of Youth Ms. Waana Kankinza and Chief Youth Development officer programmes Mr. Wesley Chikwamu.
Eastern Province Minister Hon. Peter Phiri commended the selection of the project being done in his province as a great opportunity for business and it`s happening in the country for the first time.
He said there was need to actualize the program`s success and once successful it will be useful across the nation.
Hon. Phiri expressed gratitude to President Hakainde Hichilema for choosing Eastern province as a pilot project for the motorcycle youth empowerment program.
Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts Hon. Elvis Nkandu said that the project is an upgrade from bicycles to motorcycles which will ease movement for the youths involved in the transport business and also help alleviate unemployment levels.
Hon. Nkandu also called on the Mayor of Chipata to assist in looking for land which can be used for resource centers and once infrastructures are established, Sports and Arts facilities will be part of the activities at the centers.
120 youths selected from 15 districts of Eastern province received the motorcycles among whom 18 are women and 2 are differently abled.
The beneficiaries of the empowerment programme will pay back a monthly fee of K1,125 in two years and upon completion, they will own the motorcycles and the funds will help sustain the programme which will benefit more youths in the province.
The Minister and his entourage also paid a courtesy call on Paramount Chief Mpezeni who commended them for spearheading such projects in rural areas and also congratulated the Ministry over the improvement in sports which has seen the Men`s national football team qualify to the AFCON in their tenure after three failed attempts.
The motorcycle empowerment program will also be reciprocated in other provinces so that youths can benefit countrywide.
Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts
Media and PR Unit
July 3, 2023.
