Youth Lambast Authorities for Shunning Meetings

Young people in Nsanje have accused authorities of shunning interface meetings to respond on how money meant for development activities in the district is being utilized.

One of the youth from Mbenje Youth Network, James Sande, on Tuesday cited that most Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects are incomplete and the alleged embezzlement of School Improvement Program (SIP) money by teachers in schools.

"After being empowered by Foundation for Civic Education and Social Empowerment (FOCESE), we are able to closely follow development activities in our areas. 

“But the challenge is that some duty bearers still resist to be transparent especially on how they manage public resources," said Sande, claiming that over K700 thousand SIP money was misused at Madziabango Primary School in Magoti zone.

"How could Phokera market be constructed without planners thinking of water source? Where will people get water from?" he questioned.

The youth also bemoaned lack of special rooms in public facility to promote youth friendly services, low funding in youth office and delays by the council to implement the youth guidelines resolutions to make sure that two youth representatives are allowed in the service committees of the district council.

Nsanje District Commissioner, Douglas Moffat, said he will engage the mentioned sectors so as to respond to the issues raised by the youth.

"I believe the youth have the right to know how public money is spent. I also want to urge the youth to focus on education and have the spirit to upgrade so as to be productive citizen," said DC Moffat.

FOCESE Director, Christie Banda, believes the youth are in a position of openly airing out their concerns.

Banda said the youth there are now allowed to be in development and governance structures where they are able to seek answers from authorities.

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