Solwezi Mayor Remmy Kalepa has encouraged youths in the district to take advantage of the 25 percent budget allocation in the increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for them to benefit.
Government has increased the CDF from K1.6 million to K25.7 million with 25 percent to go towards youth and women empowerment.
Mr. Kalepa said youths should be reorganised by forming and registering cooperatives for them to access the funds.
He said the local authority is committed to improving the welfare of the youths by ensuring that they optimise opportunities in order to take up more positions of leadership in society either in entrepreneurial activities or civic life.
“And I can assure you today that as a local authority, we will continue supporting such initiatives that help you our youths to get out poverty and become self sustaining and meaningfully contribute to the development of our district, “said Mr. Kalepa.
The mayor was speaking during the youth symposium organised by the local authority.
He said one of the local authority’s core beliefs is that youths should have the ability to transform the society leading to the sustainable development.
The mayor acknowledged the challenges the youths are faced with among them unemployment.
He however mentioned that this is the reason government has set aside the 25 percent from the constituency development fund for youth and women empowerment.
“And as a local authority, we are not sitting idle but working round the clock in ensuring that we improve the welfare of the youths. And one such an activity is this symposium where you have been given an opportunity to acquire knowledge through presentations that will make you different personalities, “he said.
And speaking on behalf of other youths, John Katontoka thanked the municipality for organising the event.