By George Mponda

Karonga, February 20, Mana: Youths in Karonga District on Wednesday engaged Malawi Congress Party's (MCP) Director of Youths in the North-North, Robert Katawa Msowoya to express their grievances and concerns.

The meeting held in Karonga was attended by young people, some of whom were taxi drivers, mini bus call boys and other unemployed youths.

Chairperson for Karonga Bus Depot, Happy Chirwa said that at the top their list was lack of employment opportunities which has left many of them feeling hopeless and disillusioned.

"Being the youth director for the northern region, we would like you to use your influence to lobby for policies that will create jobs and stimulate economic growth for us here in Karonga,” Chirwa said.

A taxi driver, Desmond Kalinga called for construction of bus shelters at all bus stops within Karonga.

"As you know it is too hot here in Karonga yet all bus stops along the road do not have shelters, so we would like you to engage the district council to construct these for our customers,” Kalinga said.

"We also want to complain about the behavior of some Road Traffic Services officers who are charging Sienta drivers hefty fines amounting K200,000 which we feel is choking our businesses as we knock off with nothing," he added.

In his response, Msowoya acknowledged the concerns of the youths and promised to take them up with the party's leadership, Road Traffic Directorate and Karonga District Council.

"Youths have the power to bring about change and the government of Dr. Lazarus Chakwera listens. This meeting was very important because it will help bring positive change for the youths in Karonga,” said Msowoya.