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President Edgar Lungu has offered to pay registration fees for the first 50 youth groups who will apply to register as cooperatives in Mwinilunga District of North-Western Province.And government through the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development says it will empower 25 youths who graduated from Kanong’esha Youth Resource Centre in design and tailoring with sewing machines and fabrics, while 25 other graduates in general agriculture will be empowered with farming inputs.Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development, Emmanuel Mulenga said this during the district launch of the K470 Million multi-sectoral youth empowerment fund held at Kabanda grounds in Mwinilunga District.Mr Mulenga said the Head of State has done his part and it is now up to the youths in the area to step forward and access the funds.“President Edgar Lungu loves the youths of Mwinilunga hence his decision to support them in registering their cooperatives, so I encourage you to take part in the youth empowerment”, he said.He said President Lungu is ready to work with people in the district but very few have made themselves available, a situation he said, has made it difficult for the Head of State to deliver development to the area.“President Lungu does not hate anyone he just lacks people who can work with him. You do not have to be a carder to work with him”, Senior Chief Kanong’esha said.Meanwhile a youth representative, Shadrick Musanda thanked the Head of State for the youth empowerment fund.“We are grateful to his Excellency, President Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu for including us on his developmental agenda through this empowerment”, Mr Musanda said.He said the initiative has come at the right time because it will equally provide relief from the negative economic impact the youths in the district are facing due to COVID-19.
Mr Musanda said youths in the area are ready to apply for the funds so that they can engage in activities such as fish farming, hospitality industry, general agriculture and bee keeping.
