Youth are the engine of the ICT growth in any country, which means that these two connect better for economic and social development, according to the Minister of Youth and ICT.Jean Philbert Nsengimana said this yesterday, shortly after taking over the office from the outgoing ICT minister."The ministry will focus on promoting and supporting ICT-led initiatives and policies that address concerns and priorities of the youth,” he said.Nsengimana observed that today, the role of young people in shaping their societies is becoming increasingly evident, particularly in terms of ICT innovation."We have to provide the youth with an environment that supports their ICT innovative ideas instead of leaving them behind. I call upon the private and public sector to offer young people an avenue for development,” he stated.He pointed out that, he is not bringing anything new to the ministry but pledged to build on the already existing foundation.He was appointed to head the new ministry having been minister for the equally new Ministry of Youth.Nsengimana observed that the government has spent about ten years building ICT infrastructure saying it was now time to engage the youth utilise the infrastructure as the country moves from agriculture-based to a knowledge based economy.As part of the infrastructure rollout, the government put in place the national fibre optic network that has spread across the country in order to ease internet connectivity.  Dr. Ignace Gatare, the former Minister in President’s Office in charge of ICT, yesterday officially handed over the ministry he had been heading since 2009 to Nsengimana at an event held at Village Urugwiro.Gatare is now the Director General of a Commission for Science and Technology in the President’s office.He said the move by the President to merge the two ministries was feasible since both sectors are the engines for the country’s growth."I will continue to work together with the ministry and other relevant institutions to ensure that science and technology is fully exploited for the development of our country,” he said.He stated that in an increasingly globalized world, the impact of science and technology in the economic, social and individual spheres of life has considerably transformed societies. Gatare added that the commission he heads will coordinate and promote the development of science and technology in the country. Nsengimana was appointed last week on Thursday, the same day the ministries were merged.