By Fatmata Jengbe
The Ministry of Youth Affairs claims it has created over 2000 jobs for youth in the car wash service with the Minister of Youth Affairs, Mohamed Orman Bangura saying a total of 2100 youths are set to benefit from the project.
The Minister further informed that 35 youths will be employed in each of the 60 centres across the country and described the project as a scheme that seeks to ensure that youths across the country are trained in entrepreneurial skills.
He added that they will also receive training on saving a percentage of their income so that their dependents will also benefit from the venture.The Minister disclosed that the project is funded by the Government of Sierra Leone, the Chinese Embassy and the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank.
On his part, the Deputy Youth Affairs Minister, Lusine Kallon, shed light on the facilities contained in the project. He stated that at every car wash center, a three-room self-contained structure will be erected to serve as office, store, and a waiting room for customers.
He furthered that two pits will be constructed at every center to enhance the proper washing of under carriers of vehicles and also an open canopy with corrugated roofing to ensure uninterrupted work during the rainy season. The centres will also be provided with electricity and one water well with hand pump.
In his remarks, the Project Manager, Victor L.K Muanah, maintained that the project is designed to be a revolving loan scheme, noting that the loan will ensure that youth groups pay back an agreed percentage of their earnings on a monthly basis at the Youth Ministry.
He continued that the project will also assign a cashier that will be responsible for the collection of daily earnings from the project. Mr. Muanah also said that youths in the project will be paid on a weekly or monthly basis as agreed upon.
He emphasized that the loan payment will enable the Ministry take the project to other parts of the country thereby expanding it to other vulnerable young people over a period of time.
Ten car wash structures have already been built in the Western Area. 31 more will be constructed across the country in the not too distant future. This is expected to create more jobs for young people across the country.
