The Inquirer (Monrovia)
Morrison O.G. Sayon
1 May 2008
The Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) has attributed the increasing wave of armed robbery and other crimes in the society to the high level of unemployment of the Liberian youths.
Addressing a news conference in Monrovia yesterday, the FLY President, Joseph Jimmy Sarkantuah said his federation believes that the wave of armed robbery, mob violence and other crimes in the country are seriously attributed to the high level of unemployment and underemployment of the youthful population.
Mr. Sarkantuah noted that the only way to curb such national embarrassment is for the government of Liberia to treat the rate of unemployment among young people as a national emergency and stop the inadvertent manner and form the situation is being addressed.
FLY said it appears that the high level of unemployment rate has been a political platitude that gives an implausible result. The youth group however added that why it is important to condemn the crime, there should be no space given to the criminals to justify their actions.
The group is therefore calling on members of the National Legislature to expeditiously pass all bills before that august body that are intended to create jobs and wants laws that impede investments reviewed.
Though the group has blamed the armed robbery on the level of unemployment in the country, it has at the same time condemned the increasing wave of armed robbery and mob violence taking place in the country.
Fly is at the same time calling on all Liberians to desist from such unwholesome act. The youth organization wants every youth of Liberia to see armed robbery as a serious crime and not only a crime but an ill-intended to hinder investments and progress in the country which is meant to keep the youths in the state of backwardness.
In recent times, armed robbery has been on the increase thus claiming the attention of every Liberian including the National Legislature. Many have petitioned the government of Liberia to make armed robbery a capital offense and that the crime must not be baillable.
At the same time, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has sounded out a strong warning to those involved in armed robbery to get ready to face government's wrath as she will not relent to take drastic action against anyone caught and convicted for the act of armed robbery.
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I did agree with FLY that,the unemployment of youths is causing serious problems for the nation, Liberia.According to the disengagement theory,the older people need to relinquish power to the younger ones in society.This Theory allows young people to take over from the older force in society. These young people can only take over from the older ones if they are prepared to lead the nation.However, the older ones are refusing to do so,because they have denied our young people from assuming power that equipps then from the wicked hands of the older force in society.Again, how can Liberia develop if… [Read Full Text]