Maravi

Shamenda urges youths to keep government in check

Shamenda urges youths to keep government in check
By Fridah Nkonde in Ndola
Tue 10 Jan. 2012, 13:00 CAT

MININSTER of Labour, Youth and Sports Fackson Shamenda has challenged Patriotic Front members and the youth to jealously guard the change they spearheaded. During a fundraising dinner for the PF youths at Savoy Hotel in Ndola on Saturday, Shamenda said those not privileged to be leaders should keep reminding those in leadership to be listening to the needs of the people.

"Members of the party should make sure they keep government in check. We don't want a situation where people of the same party start blaming each other when their government is kicked out. Let us work together and deliver the promises that we made," he said.

Shamenda said youths were leaders of today, not tomorrow.

"Youths campaigned, voted for change and protected the vote. If our youths were not vigilant, votes would have been stolen. Sixty eight per cent of our population is composed of the youths. If you don't listen to the youths, it means that you will have a problem," said Shamenda.

"Youths provided a lead and the change that we wanted happened."

Copperbelt minister Rodgers Mwewa said he had been talking to Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of companies to employ the youth and that Chambishi metals had offered 1,000 jobs to the youths.

Mwewa said the PF government would work to reduce the cost of doing business in order for companies to thrive.

Meanwhile, Copperbelt provincial youth chairman Menyani Zulu said youths came up with the fundraising dinner because of the many challenges they faced.

Zulu said because of high levels of HIV and AIDS amongst the youth, the PF youths would promote behavioural change in colleges and universities.

"We also have challenges of poverty, unemployment and lack of social amenities. Why should we face challenges of unemployment when the Copperbelt Province has a lot of mines?" he said.

Zulu challenged the youth to have a voice in the running of the country.

Labels: FACKSON SHAMENDA, PF, YOUTHS

posted by MrK @ 6:55 PM