Mon, 02 Oct 2017 13:30:57 +0000
By OSCAR MALIPENGA
THE Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) is in danger of being run down through vandalism and government needs to take corrective measures.
An on the spot check by Daily Nation found the facility’s wire fence cut and part of the wall fence demolished by unscrupulous residents. The OYDC project is as a result of an agreement between the Zambian government, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) sgined on 26th September 2007 and was commissioned by President Rupiah Banda and the president of the International Olympic Committee Dr Jacques Rogge in 2010.
But now all the swimming pools, pool tables and gym among other facilities have been turned into a communal hub as the services can easily be accessed by anyone without passing through a security check point at the main gate.
Youths were spotted gaining entry to the facilities at OYDC through the vandalised wire fences and wall fence. Some industrious youths had even managed to sneak in some alcohol in a black school bag.
And one of the employees talked to, explained that when the facility was constructed the wire fence was initially electrified until management decided to disconnect electricity.
He explained that managemenet decided to disconnect electricity from the wire fence for fear that lives would be lost as children from surrounding neighbourhood would be electrocuted.
“…this area is surrounded by Matero, Zanimoune, SOS and Mandevu residents, so it is mostly youths from these places that have vandalised this fire and wall fence,” he said.
Some youths found swimming, confessed that they did not pay or enter through the main gate as they were from the neighbourhood.
