Anambra State House of Assembly has passed a bill for establishment of the state’s Youth Development and Empowerment Commission into law.
This is aimed at reducing youth restiveness and unemployment by engaging them meaningfully to become self reliant and contribute to societal development.
The bill was sponsored by Mr Smart Okafor, member representing Nnewi North Constituency after third reading on the floor of the House on Aug. 13.
The lawmakers took turns to effect some corrections in the 31 clause bill before being finally passed by the House.
Speaker, Mr Uche Okafor, conducted voice votes on each of the sections of the bill before its passage.
Okafor said: “having considered the third reading of a Bill for a Law to establish the Anambra State Youth Development and Empowerment Commission, Implementation of Sustainable Youth Policy and to Provide for other related Matters 2020, the bill is hereby passed.’’
The Speaker after the passage of the bill directed the Clerk of the House, Mr Pius Udo, to forward a clean copy of the bill to Gov. Willie Obiano for his assent.
The bill purports that the commission would help in the creation of jobs and economic development opportunities with the help of established independent institutions.
It also states that the commission will have the responsibility of attracting funds from Federal Government, international donor agencies and development partners.
“The commission will empower the youth who shall stimulate economic growth and create more jobs and economic opportunities, be employers of labour and pay taxes to the government, thereby making significant contributions to the GDP of the state.
“The commission would help to reduce anti social vices such as kidnapping, armed robbery, prostitution and cultism.
“It shall liaise with ministries, departments and agencies to identify and execute youth-related programmes, set guidelines for selection of beneficiaries and disburse funds to beneficiaries.
“Any member of the commission or beneficiary who misappropriated the funds for purposes other than that for which it has been disbursed commits an offence.
“Such persons shall be liable on conviction to a fine of two times the value of the disbursed funds or one to five years imprisonment,’’ the bill said.
