Youths advocate empowerment to stem criminality

Youths in Mtwara Region have said that criminal incidents in the country can only end or be greatly curtailed if the government empowers them by providing capital and skills to establish income-generating activities. The remarks were made here on Thursday by youths who form Saidi Mwema New Generation group comprising youths who had decided to shun criminal activities and become loyal and productive citizens. The group is so called in honour of Inspector General of Police Saidi Mwema, who supported them in establishing the group and provided cement bags and other materials. The Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) has supported the group by providing 16.8m/- capital for the establishment of a brick-laying project to enable them get regular income. Speaking to reporters, the group's co-ordinator, Charles Haule, said the project had helped reduce criminality in the region. Haule said the idea to mobilize youths and later give them counselling on how they could become good members of the society came after there was increased insecurity in the municipality, especially after the cashew nuts harvesting season was over. “There was increased criminal incidents in town, especially when the cashew nuts harvesting season was over. Once the season ended, these youths had nothing to do to enable them sustain themselves,” he said.

The Inspector General of Tanzania Police Force, Mr. Said Mwema
“People called the group Tukale Wapi (where shall we get food). With the support we received from Tasaf and Inspector General of Police Saidi Mwema, the group has now been an icon in town, encouraging more other youths to join them,” said Haule. For his part, the group's secretary, Mshamu Ally, said the youth had decided to engage in criminal acts due to lack of activities to enable them generate income for sustaining life. “We are now happy. We thank Tasaf for saving us from that pathetic way of life as we are now economically empowered,” said Ally, adding: “The government must see empowerment of youths as a tool in addressing criminality in the society,”
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN