By Durell Namasani
President Lazarus Chakwera on Thursday visited a construction site for Mzuzu Youth Centre in the city, a development that has increased hope that the project will finish in time.
Speaking during the visit, Mzuzu Youth Network Chairperson Salome Gadazi said the youths are optimistic that after visiting the site, Chakwera appreciates the need to speed up it’s construction.
“When we met the president during the youth SONA at Grand Palace Hotel, one of our request was that he should intervene to ensure the centre is completed in time.
“Now that the president has seen for himself what is happening here, we hope that provision of resources to complete this project will not be a problem,” said Kadazi.
Another youth Dorothy Nkowani said timely completion of the facility will help ease challenges that young people face in the city in accessing some crucial services like counseling.
“Aside sporting and gaming facilities, the centre will also house a counseling centre which will help ease access to the service.
“Currently the youths do not have youth friendly service centre hence many youths are being denied access youth tailored counseling,” said Nkowani.
Briefing the president during the visit, Sam Ganizani, Director of Buildings in the Ministry of Transport and Public Works said works on the Youth Centre is progressing according to design despite facing a few technical challenges at commencement.
“The project delayed to start because when the technical team got on the ground, it was discovered that there was need to conduct another study.
DEC Construction Limited Project Manager Elard Malonda assured that as long as project money is provided accordingly, the project is likely to be completed by September, 2025.
Earlier last week, while engaging with the youths in the city, Chakwera emphasised commitment towards empowering young people including provision of necessary resources to ensure they are part of a drive to achieve the 2063 Agenda.
The Mzuzu Youth Centre project got its first funding in the 2010/2011 National Budget but construction of the same began in 2022 after government officially contracted it to Dec Construction Company at a tune of K19.7 billion.
