By Pemphero Malimba:
Concerns over the operations of the National Economic and Empowerment Fund (Neef), fight against corruption and lack of infrastructure in the education sector topped the list of questions which young people asked President Lazarus Chakwera Friday.
State House organised the Sona for Youths event for young people in Malawi to engage the President in relation to the State of the Nation Address (Sona) he delivered on Friday.
Apart from about 100 youths who physically attended the event at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, others asked questions via several social media platforms such as Facebook, X formerly Twitter and Whatsapp.
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One of the youths, Memory Ngwira, who was present at Kamuzu Palace, asked Chakwera what he was doing to address challenges in the Neef loans disbursement.
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According to her, many youths are facing challenges to access the loans.
Another youth questioned Chakwera’s commitment to ending corruption saying the malpractice is on the rise in the country.
Another young citizen, Thokozani Chavu from Ntchisi, quizzed Chakwera on infrastructure development in the provision of primary and technical education.
“What are you doing to ensure that youths are not learning under trees? What are you doing to ensure that youths have access to skills training? He asked.
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Chakwera said his government has made strides in provision of Neef loans.
“Now we are providing capacity building to people who want to venture into businesses so that they should benefit from the loans so that we service others as well,” Chakwera said.
He said he had directed Neef to decentralise its service.
“We have instructed Neef to make sure that they decentralise the services so that youths should have access to the loans everywhere across the country. We also want Neef to digitise its system so that people can easily access the loans,” he said.
He also announced that he had instructed the Minister of Finance to set aside funds for setting up Youth Innovation Grant.
On corruption, Chakwera said his government had prioritised strengthening the legal framework to ensure that the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is independent to investigate and prosecute offenders.
“The ACB is now able to prosecute cases even those involving high profile people in the country. We are enhancing coordination between ACB and the judiciary to ensure that corruption cases should be expedited,” he said.
On infrastructure development, Chakwera said his government would ensure that there is a conducive learning environment in schools.
“We need to ensure that each and every district has a technical college where youths can have access to technical skills so that they can be financially independent. We also need to ensure that even primary schools are setting aside time to provide technical skills to learners,” he said.
On National Arts and Heritage Council, Chakwera said he would discuss with the Ministry of Finance to ensure that funding is made available for the establishment of the council.
“There is nothing good in setting up laws when we cannot ensure that they are operational. We will look into this because artists play a huge role even on the economy of this country,” he said.
Speaking when closing the event, Chakwera said he would ensure that such events happen regularly.
“This was an important event where I wanted you to feel that I am part of you because having constructive interactions is crucial,” he said.
A similar event is expected to take place in Blantyre on February 27, and March 4 in Mzuzu.
