Agency helps unemployed city youths

 A state agency has come to the aid of unemployed youths in the National Capital District.

The National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA) donated K3000 to unemployed youths residing at the Garden Hills settlement, who have formed a rugby league team to compete in the Governor’s Cup.

When presenting the cheque on last week, acting managing director Joel Alu said NAQIA felt obliged to assist underprivileged youths in the community.

He said the donation was to keep the youths busy and dissuade them from illegal activities such as taking drugs or getting involved in other harmful activities.

Alu said many unemployed people resorted to petty crimes such as pick-pocketing, bag snatching and attacked innocent, unsuspecting people because they had nothing useful to do.

Alu said the public’s reaction was to accuse these young people and call them names but he said organisations and business house should reach out and support this group of people and involve them in useful activities such as sports. 

He said that there were many business houses within the vicinity of Garden Hills settlement that could be able to assist the youths but a collective effort was needed.

David Tenakanai, who was instrumental in securing the donation for the rugby league team, said helping the youths in small ways like this would build a relationship with them and help them become better citizens.

Youth spokesman Jumbo Luke said they were grateful to NAQIA.

He said the money would be used to prepare the team for the NCD Governor’s Cup rugby league competition at the end of the month.