BY COAST TIMES REPORTER
Principal Secretary for Maritime Affairs Shadrack Mwadime has urged the coastal youth especially girls to take advantage of the blue economy courses to change their lives.
Mwadime said the government is banking on the blue economy to break the chain of poverty, the menace of drug abuse, teen pregnancies and early marriages for the coastal people.
The PS said a society that doesn’t recognize women will never succeed.
“Girls don’t allow anyone to ruin your lives. It is time we say goodbye to early marriages and teen pregnancies because we will equally empower you and move together for economic change,” he said.
Mwadime said the blue economy sector has enough job opportunities and no one youth will tarmac for employment.
He said the government is looking forward to entering into a partnership with shipping companies and charter vessels to generate thousands of sea jobs each year for the youth.
The PS there will be no time for people to sit idle at home after completing their maritime courses because the jobs will be in plenty.
“We are laying down affirmative strategies to give employment to our youth. Trust us nobody will be left unemployed in the blue economy sector,” he said.
Mwadime said the Kenya Kwanza government will deal with all the obstacles that impeded the growth of the sector.
He said previously, corruption and tribalism played a major role in determining who gets the maritime jobs making the process of getting shipping opportunities opaque.
The PS said President William Ruto’s administration will turn things around and make jobs available for all Kenyans.
He said the coastal youth have no reason to lag and grab the opportunities to transform the coastal economy and their living standards and improve literacy levels.
Mwadime said the maritime jobs attract better payments but youth must first get the required job skills and documents by taking various blue economy courses.
“Luck is when an opportunity finds you prepared. Get trained, sharpen your skills and become certified,” he said.
The PS said the government has set aside sh20 million to support youth study shipping and maritime courses.
The PS said countries like the Philippines have done well in the blue economy and will empower Kenyan youth at the coast for equal development.
He said the coastal youth have for many years been left behind and associated with drugs and other many social vices.
Mwadime said a time has come for the coastal people to prove their mighty and reclaim the lost glory in matters of shipping, fishing and seafaring.
“Your great-grandparents know what it means to be a sailor or a fisherman. The work brought a lot of pride,” he said.
He spoke in Kwale county during his three-day tour in the coast region to sensitize the youth on the opportunities in the shipping and maritime sector.
The tour was themed ‘Lifting our youth through maritime’.
County Commissioner Michale Mwangi Meru said the government is keen to ensure youth get the required education and jobs.
He urged the youth to grab the opportunities presented to them and change their lives.
Meru said the government won’t allow youth to sit idle and join criminal gangs and drugs.
County Administration Police Commander John Amadadi also advised the youth to keep off from drugs and substance abuse and take the blue economy courses to live decent lives.
“The roads and streets are full of jobless your, please heed the government call and seize the offer,” he said.
