With regards to the present increase in cliques and gangsterism across the Country, the Executive Director of the Centre for the Coordination of Youth Affairs (CCYA), Ngolo Katta disclosed that youth marginalization is responsible for the increase in youth disturbances.
Ngolo Katta explained that youth exclusion in decision making on issues affecting them, coupled with the economic situation is driving them to do what they are not to do, and Government is not engaging enough to know their problems.
Mr Katta said because most of these young people are jobless, as a result of lack of skills to earn a living, they resort to violence to survive, and this is the advantage so called “5 ‘o’s” take to use those who are desperate to carry out dangerous acts of violence and drug peddling.
The Youth activist commended the Police for proactive stance to clamp down on duty bearers who are responsible for the increase in gangsterism, to terrorise innocent citizens.
However, Katta was disappointed over the minimal jail term sentence given to “5’0’s” noting that they should be given long term sentence, to make room for the National Correctional Service across the country, to develop and design programs to rehabilitate convicts, in order that they become useful citizens when they come out, after completing their jail term.
He furthered that since the Minister of Finance read the 2015/16 annual budget to increase allocation for young people empowerment, to date nothing has been done to improve youth development, and this is putting a lot of pressure on the Youth Ministry and the Youth Commission to address the challenges of youth development.
Katta said the youth in the urban setting needs urgent attention, noting that there is an increase of resentment among those without requisite skills. And the general elections is just around the corner, and if the situation is not addressed urgently, some selfish politicians will want to use them to perpetrate election violence, despite most of them are in denial that they don’t use young people, but from confessions in some communities, it is clear that some of the cliques and gangs have affiliation with people in high places, which is not healthy in a democratic society.
He called on Government and partners involved in youth development to redouble efforts to invest in youth development, to fulfill the commitment made by government to make a difference in the lives of young people, to acquire lifelong skills, which is middle man power development to make the agenda for prosperity a reality.
By Ade Campbell
Monday October 03, 2016
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