Youth commissioner unveils plans for institute

 NATIONAL Youth Commissioner Norit Luio has unveiled plans for a National Youth Development Institute. 

Luio said this at a Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council (CIMC) national development forum in Port Moresby last Friday.

“The plan to build the institute has already been presented to the government as per their request,” he said. 

“The conceptual development, compelling business plan has been forwarded to the National Planning Department and other stakeholders for funding approval.

“The commission is liaising with international donors for financial support and we are appealing to local MPs to engage in agreements with us and to take ownership of the plan.

“The institute will be able to identify and cover youth leaders in all the provinces and districts of the country.”

Luio said the institute would be the national focus for youths, provide training areas for the students, have accommodation facilities, have a hotel for training and commercial activity, have a 500-seat multi-purpose hall for functions, conferences and sporting activity, have additional space for commercial office lease and growth of SMEs and would be a source of revenue to support programme delivery.

He said land had already been made available, with approval from the National Capital District Commission and Lands Department.

SGL Australia Ltd senior consultant Larry Sengstock was engaged by the commission in the institute’s designs and other related planning procedures. 

The scope, design and cost study was completed last year.

“The major problem for youths in PNG is that there is a lack of coordination of the training and support programmes,” Luio said.

“The institute will be the national focus for youths, provide training areas for the students, have accommodation facilities for students during their programmes, have a hotel for training and commercial activity, have a 500-seat multipurpose hall for functions, conferences and sporting activity, have additional space for commercial office lease and growth of SMEs and will be a source of revenue generating to support programme delivery.”