Story by Fungai Jachi
THE government has reassured parliamentarians that the drafting of the much-anticipated Youth Bill is on course, with an amended draft expected to be handed to the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training by the end of this month.
While giving oral evidence to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Youth Empowerment Development and Vocational Training at the Parliament Building in Mt Hampden this Monday, Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Honourable Tino Machakaire told legislators that the drafting of the Youth Bill is on track.
“The Youth Bill remains one of the ministry’s key priority areas as we move towards ensuring there is a law that supports the implementation of various developmental projects. We are on track as the amended draft will be sent back to us by the end of the month,” he said.
He also responded to issues raised by the committee on the Junior Parliament, “We have to work together to ensure that the Junior Parliamentarians exercise their duties. We have to ensure we harness and train them well and utilise their knowledge in decision-making. As seniors, it is our duty to ensure these junior Parliamentarians are nurtured.”
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Honourable Mutsawashe Ziyambi, said the responses by Minister Machakaire gave them hope that soon the bill will be tabled in Parliament.
“The youth bill has been in the pipeline for some time now, and it will really give youths an opportunity to be empowered because, through that bill, implementation of all programs will be made possible. So we have been assured that soon we will be debating the Bill and we look forward to having an Act soon because this is one of the bills that the President spoke about in his State of the Nation Address.”
The Youth Bill is critical in addressing youth issues and promoting their development.
