Minister orders closure of Gicumbi youth centre

The Minister for Youth, Jean Philbert Nsegimana, has ordered the closure of Gicumbi Youth Friendly Centre, until further notice, due to poor hygiene, suspicion of drug abuse and mismanagement.The centre, alongside three others in Karongi and Rusizi districts in Western Province, and Nyagatare in Eastern Province, are funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).The centres that were set up with the aim of mobilising and creating health awareness amongst the youth, also have a small component of youth entrepreneurship.Speaking to The New Times, Nsegimana said that following persistent reports that the Gicumbi centre had failed to reach out to the intended youth, he decided to visit and find out the truth.“I made an unannounced visit to the Centre on Wednesday. I was joined by the UNFPA representative, the Mayor of Gicumbi and other officials,” Nsegimana narrated.“Every delegate was shocked by the situation at the centre. In addition to being closed on a normal business day, there were multiple signs of prolonged desertion of staff, general negligence and all sorts of abuse taking place in the premises of the centre”.The minister added that when they tried to contact the centre’s manager, they were informed that he had gone on leave, but the assistant could not satisfactorily explain why the centre was in such a poor state, or why it had failed to impact on the youth in the region.He explained that after consultations, the ministry decided to temporarily close the centre with immediate effect, pending an investigation.Anderson Honore, 17, who hails from the district and is among the beneficiaries, was dismayed by the closure. “This centre helps us to keep busy. We meet here to practise singing and dancing thus developing our talents. Now that it’s closed, some might end up straying and joining bad company or even drug abuse,” Honore pointed out.Gicumbi Mayor Bonane Nyangenzi, suggested that centre’s management might have to be changed if it is the root cause of the problem. He further appealed to managers of youth centres throughout the country to focus on educating and improving the health and livelihood of the youth which entails proper hygiene as well as keeping off drugs.

National

Minister orders closure of Gicumbi youth centre