Minister of Youth and Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the construction of Information and Communications Technology office and a classroom block at Naminjiwa Community College in Phalombe.

The structures are part of a $4 million (about K4.4 billion) Jobs for Youth Project being implemented in four districts, namely Karonga, Neno, Nkhotakota and Phalombe, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB).  

In an interview on Tuesday after inspecting the facilities, Chimwendo Banda said they will empower the youth with different skills.

Chimwendo-Banda (2R) talks to Khasu (2L) in the new building

He said: “We are talking about people who will repair TV [television] sets, phones and radios. We want these skills to be readily available in the village and we are talking about already available market.

“So, creation of jobs is not only through white collar jobs. These types of skills will empower young people to stand on their own.”

Naminjiwa Community College principal Jalesi Khasu said the facility has been offering six courses, but with the new building, the number of courses will increase.

He said the college currently enrols about 100 students, but the enrolment is expected to go up by 60 percent.

“This project means that many youths will benefit from the training institution,” said Khasu.

Chief Kaduya commended government for the project, saying it will not only benefit youths in her area, but the district as a whole.

The project eyes to create 17 000 jobs for the youth.

Under the project, the ministry has constructed teaching facilities in the four districts where young people will be trained in small-scale mining, textile manufacturing, agriculture and information and communications technology.

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