YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
IT is ironic that some Zambians want to misrepresent the government’s empowerment programmes as being targeted at Patriotic Front sympathisers.
Yet, as government officials have explained, these empowerment programmes are directed at all Zambians who have viable projects that need funding to kick start.
It is this misconception planted by lies that has denied people an opportunity to take advantage of the empowerment programmes.
Government has gone on record as explaining that one’s political affiliation does not matter. What counts are the proposals requiring funding.
Tourism and Arts Minister Ronald Chitotela was yesterday explaining for the umpteenth time the K30 million empowerment fund for artistes launched by the government.
The empowerment fund for the arts was coincided with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and was meant to act as a stimulus package for the artistes.
As Mr Chitotela said on Radio Phoenix “Let the people talk” programme, it was not meant for PF sympathisers.
Mr Chitotela said that the project was beyond any political affiliation and was given based on people's applications not according to their political leaning.
In August last year, Government launched the Presidential Choral and Arts Festival and the K30 million youth empowerment scheme meant to assist artists during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Following the launch, 152 artistes in various categories were empowered from the K30 million out of the over 1, 000 artists that had applied for the funds.
The youth empowerment scheme targeting arts was one of the interventions that were structured to provide relief in the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic.
During Youth Day celebrations in Lusaka last Friday, President Edgar Lungu unveiled a robust youth empowerment programme spread across the cross, and pledged that he will always support them.
He handed over fuel tankers, Rosa minibuses, and earth moving equipment as empowerment to youths’ cooperatives from across the country during the 2021 national Youth Day celebrations themed:” Enhancing National Development through Sustainable Youth Partnerships.”
We implore youths across the political divide to take advantage of these support programme and not listen to some of their political leaders who do not think through their actions.
What any genuine political leader should be doing is to harness the vast army of jobless youths and guide them into productive ventures through which the government can help them.
There are many sectors ranging from agriculture, aquaculture, mining, transport that are open for the youth.
For example, what should stop youths in Siavonga, a perceived opposition stronghold, from engaging in aquaculture on Lake Kariba?
We say so because Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Permanent Secretary Benson Mwenya recently said the aquaculture Youth Funds are still available.
Dr Mwenya said in an interview that youths should visit the ministry and get information regarding the funds.
Rather than engage in acts of hooliganism, youths should take stock of their lives and decide to change for the better.
What harm is there in taking up the offer from Government if will improve your livelihood, why should one choose to be a political hoodlum that might only see you end up in a correctional facility?
Youths must think positively and reject misconceptions about genuine empowerment programmes.
A TRADITIONAL leader of Lunte district has urged Government to source for investors, who should tap into the agriculture and mining sectors in his chiefdom.
Chief Mukupa Kaoma in Northern Province said he was earger to have investors because his chiefdom has fertile land for farming and endowed with precious stones.
He was speaking in an interview.
Chief Mukupa Kaoma said once there was investment in the two sectors in his chiefdom, employment would be created for the local people, subsequently uplifting their living standards.
The traditional leader also urged Government to ensure that Zacharia Chanda/Chitoshi road was tarred so as to woo investors to his chiefdom.
He added that a good road network would open the area for various economic activities .
Meanwhile, the Chief has applauded Government for electrifying Mukupa Kaoma chiefdom adding that his subjects were happy that the area has finally been electrified this year.