The roll out of the Youth Empowerment programs by the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts has elated youths in North-Western Province that seek to take charge of their lives by having access to resources with an aim to improve their quality of life.
The province is well known for it’s pineapple plantations because one can easy smell the sweet aroma of the pineapples in the air. Africa’s fourth longest river which is the mighty Zambezi river has its source in North-Western Province and this has enabled a lot of agriculture activities to take place. Copper mining and Tourism are some of it’s economic benefits.
Chavuma district was the first spot in the Ministry’s radar where youths got empowered before proceeding to other districts.
Two hundred youths in Chavuma got empowered with grants through the National Youth Scheme and ten got motorbikes that were handed over to them by the Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts Hon. Elvis Nkandu who was accompanied by government officials from the Ministry; Chief Youth Development Officer Wesley Chikwamu, Registrar Sikota Mwanangombe and North-Western Provincial Coordinator Damiano Chishimba.
“The motorbikes to be given are on loan basis meaning the beneficiaries are expected to pay back to the Ministry the full value of the equipment including 10% fixed interest. The loan tenure for the motorbikes is twenty-four months from that date of receipt of the vehicle.
His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, the President of the Republic of Zambia has embarked on developing and implementing programmes, such as the one we are implementing today that address the diverse needs of the youths regardless of their vulnerability status.
Through these programmes government is hopeful that young people will be supported and given an opportunity to effectively contribute to national development. “said Hon Nkandu.
The Minister urged the beneficiaries of the grant empowerment to utilize it for the intended purpose in order to improve their livelihoods and that of those around them despite the grant not being a loan.
Twenty sports clubs in Chavuma district where also given sports kits to boost their teams and also enable communities to benefit from the recreation activities.
Youths in Zambezi district were given their share of the empowerment and the Ministry targets to give grants to 200 vulnerable youth in each of the six targeted districts in the province.
The National Youth Scheme is a Government initiative that is targeted at providing grants to the most vulnerable youth for small scale income generating projects that ensure economic empowerment at individual and household levels. This programme is aimed at assisting youths aged between 18 and 35 who have no means of support and the grant ranges from k500 to K5000.
In a bid to bring services closer to the people Government implemented the decentralization of Youth Empowerment funds in the National Budget to constituencies.
Ministry Of Youth, Sport and Arts
Media and PR Unit
