Simbu signs agreement to help youth

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Monday 08th April, 2013

 By ZACHERY PER

A MEMORANDUM of agreement between the Simbu government and the National Youth Commission (NYC) hopes to address problems faced by youths.

The agreement will see the parties working together to develop youths and establish a youth friendly centre.

The centre will be used for training and help youths become productive and law-abiding citizens.

Governor Noah Kool, provincial administrator Joe Kunda and the NYC’s acting commissioner Norit Luio signed the agreement at the Kondom Agaundo House (Kundiawa) last Thursday.

Kool said the move was part of his government’s plan to develop young people and provide opportunities in life.

He said they were many young people in Chimbu but successive provincial governments had failed to address their problems. 

“Each year our schools pushed out many young people to the villages and most of them resort to illegal drugs, produce and consume home-brew.

“The MOA will focus on empowering youths to participate in mini income-generating projects to become law-abiding citizens and look after themselves properly.

“My government plans to give our young people hope for the future. 

“The establishment of the Chimbu Teachers College is one of the initiatives aimed at involving village youths in activities and training.” 

The involvement of youths in agriculture and micro-economic projects is also incorporated in Chimbu’s five-year youth action plan.

He said national government’s grant to the province was tied up in service-providing sectors.

“That means we hardly have sufficient funds for youths and women activities so we are improvising on our limited resources to cater for youths and women,” he said.

Kool will seek financial assistance from the government and donor agencies to fund youth and women projects.

He said Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has pledged to fund the province’s youth programme.