Kwania youth yet to take full advantage of YLP

KWANIA-Authorities of Aduku Town Council in Kwania district are not happy with the youth for doing little to benefit from the Youth Livelihood Programme [YLP].

In 2014, government through the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development [MGLSD] earmarked Shs 265 billion under YLP, largely to help the unemployed youth participate in income-generating projects and fight poverty.

However, not a single youth in Aduku Town Council has benefited from the project, according to a report released by the Gender and Community Sector.

The report indicates that most of the youth in the town council are unwillingness to absorb the YLP funds.

Joan Acio Etin, Aduku Town Council vice chairperson says the youth have failed to form groups as guided in YLP. “Some of the few youth who have shown interest have failed to form a minimum required number of 10-15 members to access the fund, “she said, urging the youth to be serious if they want to benefit from the programme.

Geoffrey Joe Otim, the Aduku Town Council community development officer says much as they have held sensitisation campaigns, many youth in the area have not shown interest to benefit the programme.

He added: “I have instead received applications belonging to the youth from Aduku Sub-county and not the youths from the town council.”

Meanwhile, Alan Aboce, Kwania district youth livelihood focal person says recovering loans provided under YLP has been a big challenge in other sub-counties.

“Many youths who benefited from YLP are on the run. I think that is why the youths from Aduku fear absorbing the money. However, plans are underway to strengthen the sensitisation of the youth in Aduku Town Council to ensure that they benefit from the project, “he said in a telephone interview.

Some of the youth who spoke to this reporter said corruption by the town council leaders, lack of enough sensitisation and harsh methods used to recover the said money are some of the factors hindering their participation in YLP.

In November 2017, up to 68 youth groups in the sub-counties of Nambieso, Chawente, Inomo and Abongomola received more than Shs 579 million to start income-generatingng activities under YLP. The groups comprising not more than 15 youth each, were given Shs 5-11ml but most of the members shared the money amongst themselves and disappeared.

Several local council chairpersons and group leaders have been apprehended by authorities for failure to remit the money given to them, raising fear among the youths in the district.

Under the YLP, the youth are supposed to invest in masonry, carpentry, metal fabrication, hairdressing, tailoring, leather works, agro-processing, electrical repairs, bakery, cookery, video-audio editing, motor mechanics, and clay moulding.

https://thecooperator.news/kumi-rdc-urges-youth-leaders-to-embrace-poverty-eradication-programmes/

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