Western Province Permanent Secretary, Simomo Akapelwa, has called on youths to fight for their economic liberation by tapping into Government safety nets such as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for them to contribute to Zambia’s economic transformation.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Mongu District, Mr Akapelwa said as Zambia commemorates youth day on Wednesday, youths should strive to become entrepreneurs by getting loans under CDF among other Government programmes. 

He explained that the youths are a key ingredient in today’s economic struggles; as they are supposed to take advantage of Government’s progressive safety nets to make business ventures. 

Mr Akapelwa added that Government has created an enabling environment for youths to be self-employed through the provision of CDF and other safety nets to create jobs. 

“So it is disappointing to see youths engaging in illicit activities like drug abuse, gambling instead of taking advantage of Government’s various incentives such as CDF among others to contribute positively to the country’s prosperity,”  he said. 

And the PS has praised President Hakainde Hichilema for coming up with a policy to hold national and international celebrations across the country as Lusaka is not Zambia. 

He expressed happiness that the President is gracing this year’s Youth day celebrations in Mongu and appealed to people of western Province to turn in great numbers to celebrate the day in style. 

And National Youth Development Council Human Resource Director, under the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, Abigail Malukutila has called on youths to form cooperatives and access Empowerment programmes.

Meanwhile, Lubasi Moono, a Mongu youth, has urged fellow youths to take advantage of the CDF which has been increased dramatically so that they can set up businesses.