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| Kigali |
Rwamagana
— Youth representatives in
the Eastern Province have requested the government to facilitate them to easily
access funds either individually or as organised entities such as cooperatives
for investment.
The appeal
was made by youth coordinators in all districts of Eastern Province while
meeting the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of
Youth and ICT, Rosemary Mbabazi, on Tuesday. The meeting was
attended by the Governor, Odette Uwamariya among other high ranking government
officials.
The
National Youth Council coordinator in Kirehe District, Emmy Mukunzi, said the
youth felt completely detached from the country's development process owing to
lack of capital. He challenged the government through the Ministry of Youth and
ICT to pay special attention to the youth, particularly through support to
cooperatives.
"There
are virtually no youth cooperatives...much as we need to be creative, we need
government support. The districts don't seem to care much about us...we have
brains and energy, but these must be backed by financial support," he
said.
The youth
coordinator in Rwamagana District, Fidel Nabanganyimana, stressed that district leaders
ought to show concern towards youth development. "Most programmes designed
by the district leaders do not address real needs of the youth. We are kind of
detached, yet there is somebody at the district supposed to be working with us.
Something is wrong with the network," he lamented.
The PS,
however, challenged the youth to work hard in order to attract the attention of
the banks. "About 75 per cent of Rwandans are under 35 years and
therefore, the youth form the largest percentage of the active population,
which is why we want you to work hard."
Citing youth
cooperatives in Musanze District, the PS
asked the youth to start up development projects within their respective areas.
"You
must be proactive; you cannot afford to wait for money without showing cause.
When you start projects, banks will pick interest in you and give you money. No
one will give you money when you are not doing anything," she said.
The New Times
Rwanda