Youth Affairs Minister tours development projects
The Minister of Youth Affairs, Honourable Alimamy Kamara has inspected a proposed site for the construction of a dynamic Youth Village at the Koya Chiefdom in the Port Loko District. The Minister was accompanied by the Commissioner of the National Youth Commission, Anthony Koroma, together with a cross-section of Board Members and the media. The proposed site will include 150 acres for the Youth Village and 100acres of land for agriculture in the Makoloh Community. (Photo: (L-R) PC Bomboli II, Commissioner Anthony Koroma and Youth Affairs Minister, Hon. Alimamy Kamara)
The idea of having a Youth Camp in the Koya Chiefdom was first conceived by the then All People s Congress Administration under the leadership of the late President Joseph Saidu Momoh, whose government in 1986 proposed the construction of a structure that brings young people together for a thorough training with various skills.
In 2009 the former Deputy Minister of Local Government, Raymond Kabia teamed up with the current Chairman of the Port Loko District Council, Ahmid Munir Fofanah to secure a piece of land to kick start a project that was to be funded by the World Bank.
President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma who laid premium on youth development and transformation after his re-election in 2012 has already secured funding for the project to commence at the end of the year.
Welcoming the Minister and his entourage, Paramount Chief Alhaji Bai Kompa Bomboli II of Koya Chiefdom said they are very much happy to embrace such a project in their chiefdom, and added that the good intentions of the Youth Affairs Minister for the development of the chiefdom will be wholeheartedly accepted. “We have agreed long since to provide whatever portion of land that is required for any development program, especially that of youth activities,” says the Paramount Chief, noting further that he is optimistic that having the Youth Village in his chiefdom will address the problem of unemployment and poverty reduction.
Speaking to this press in an interview, the Minister pointed out that its time for Koya Chiefdom to gain a modern status of which President Koroma is determine and committed to provide. “I am happy to hear that the people are committed to support the upcoming projects that will include a Youth Village with lots of training facilities for youths,” he said, and assured that the President is modern willing to ensure that his positive dreams for the youths are actualized. After completion, the Minister said the Youth Village for farming project will also bring together young people that are development oriented and willing enough to meet the food security challenges in the country.
The Port Loko District Council Chairman, Ahmid Munir Fofanah pledged his council’s commitment to ensure that the project becomes successful. He added that when completed, the project will serve as a centre of attraction where youths will be well trained to meet the job requirement of mining companies and various sectors in government and the private sector.
Chairlady of Makoloh Community, Ramatu Fofanah called for peace and unity amongst the people for the success of the project. The Chairlady, who has been instrumental in securing the land for the Youth Village Project, said if the youths are well trained and employed crime rate will reduce drastically in the country. Other speakers include Mr. Raymond Kabia and Town Chief, Pa Osman Koroma.
In a related development, the Minister visited the Obasabjo Skills Acquisition and Youth Transformation College at Newtown. The college is currently operated by the National Youth Commission. The Minister’s visit is to acquaint himself of the ongoing activities in the college as well as identify key challenges for action. He assured of government’s commitment to support the day to day activities of the college. He admonished students to treat their work with all seriousness and be discipline so that at the end of the day they see themselves as major contributors to national development.
by Abu Bakarr Kargbo
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