Lack of funding for youths a key focus during a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing in Parliament.
The lack of funding for women and youth programs in the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) was at the center of the discussion during a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing in Parliament.
Member of Parliament (MP) Cathy Nori, a member of the Public Accounts Committee raised serious concerns about what she described as an oversight in the ministry’s budget. She questioned how policies targeting women, youth, and children could be effectively implemented without proper financial backing.
“Without a budget allocation, how does the Ministry intend to deliver on its commitments to these critical groups?” MP Nori asked the Permanent Secretary of the MWYCFA, Cedrick Alependava.
In response, PS Alependava highlighted the Ministry’s efforts in revitalizing the National Youth Council, a key body intended to stand independently within a specific timeframe as outlined in the Parliament’s white paper. “It’s clearly stipulated that within one or two terms, the National Youth Council should be functioning independently. We have made strides in revitalizing it, but the council is not yet fully operational on its own,” he explained.
PS Alependava further emphasized that while the Ministry has established structures, or “created babies” as he metaphorically put it, across the country, sustained support is now crucial from both the government and development partners. “We need more assistance to support our youths. I hesitate to call them time bombs, but we cannot ignore the potential challenges if we fail to invest in them,” he stated.
PAC Chairman, Gordon Darcy Lilo expressed his support for the Ministry’s initiatives, assuring that the committee would advocate for these issues within Parliament. “I can assure you that we will be your voice in Parliament,” he said, signaling the committee’s intention to push for budget considerations.
