BY INDY MAEALASIA

Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) is requesting an estimated SBD 4.5 million in the supplementary budget to fund the design and planning phase of the country’s first-ever National Development Youth Centre.

Speaking in a recent Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing into the 2025 Supplementary Appropriation Bill, Permanent Secretary, Cedric Alependava said it is time for the country to invest in a national hub for youth development in Honiara.

“The ministry has been building several youth and children’s centers across the provinces but there has not been any national youth center,” he said.

PS Alependava told the PAC that the requested funding would support the initial designing and planning phase of the project center, which is expected to provide space for offices, training workshops, and accommodate regional youths and their programmes.

“This is according to the government’s policy to empower youths through the economy, and their health and well-being,” he added.

PS Alependava also expressed hope that by establishing a center, it would lay the foundation for a future bill, which could help channel consistent funding into youth-focused programs nationwide.

The ministry has already made investments in youth and children’s initiatives in various provinces over the years.

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