Chiumia says govt to delay in providing loans to Malawi youths

Minister of Youth and Sports, Grace Chiumia has said government will delay in disbursing loans to the youth since the previous loan facilities were politicized and that it would need to thoroughly analyze on best strategies which could sustain its socio – economic gains.

“Many youths who benefitted from the previous loan facility have not yet repaid it and most of them are failing to pay back the loan since it was heavily politicized with most beneficiaries getting it as some politician’s cronies, so as government we are reviewing the whole thing so that this should never happen again,” Chiumia said.

Chiumia said government is reviewing on what happened with the previous loans hence the delay in providing loans to the youth, which are very crucial to empowering the sector to effectively participate in national development.

She made the remarks on Wednesday in Mangochi at Mkumba Teachers Development Centre   during the launch of an agri-business project for the youth.

“As government we would like to see the agri – business project launched today here in Mangochi to have and bring meaningful impact on the youth so that they were economically empowered,” Chiumia said.

“I would want this project launched here to bear good fruits and transform the lives of youth because there have been some initiatives and programmes before for the youth which have not brought any change to their lives because they were too politicized,” she emphasized.

Chiumia disclosed that the project is being implemented in only eleven districts of the country with support and funding from UNICEF to the tune of about USD20, 000 (an equivalent of K100 million.)

Speaking at the same function, Member of Parliament for Mangochi South, Lillian Patel said she was happy with the project since it would help to transform the lives of youth living in her area.

“In this constituency there is an increase in school drop – out rates among the youth, this intervention will help the youth to find something that can support their livelihood and in the end transforming lives,” Patel said.

Patel assured that the project would not be politicized as alluded to by the Minister in the previous programmes so that it benefitted more youths without regard to someone’s political inclination.–Mana

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