By Stella Odueme
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development in partnership with the Presidential CNG Initiative (PI-CNG), on Tuesday commenced the distribution of 2,000 CNG-powered tricycles as parts of efforts to tackle the transportation challenges in the country.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senate George Akume, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Maurice Nnamdi flagged off the first phase of the distribution exercise in Abuja.
The Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, said the objective of the collaborative effort is to provide opportunities for young individuals to engage in sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation solutions across the country.
She said that the flagged off of the project demonstrates the administration’s dedication to improving quality of life for
young people.
“I would like to particularly commend the presence of associations here today as they continue to play a crucial role in
ensuring the voices of our youth are heard and their needs are met. As we look forward
to empowering young people, I must also highlight how the National Youth Investment
Fund is geared to support youth entrepreneurs, especially those interested in sustainable
mobility and transport businesses.
“The fund will provide the financial backbone for many of our young innovators to thrive in
this critical sector, boosting not only youth employment, but also our economy at large,” she stated.
The Minister assured of her ministry’s determination to
collaborate with the Pi-CNG initiative to ensure that; “we work with
them to deliver on their target of 2 million tricycles and other forms of transportation
using the CNG initiative, and this will be a very remarkable step towards achieving
Nigeria’s gas transformation agenda.
Let us continue to work hard and work hand in hand to ensure that the youth of Nigeria
are empowered to lead and to succeed.”
Also, the Minister of State for Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, said work is ongoing to increase the number of the tricycles to 5000.
“This 2000 is going to come to 5000, it is not only for FCT. It is going for Kogi State. By tomorrow, it is going to Kwara State, and it is going to so many other states.
There is no doubt that we are going to carry you along in every aspect. This morning, the
president announced and mentioned the youth confer, which is a straight win
for us. We thank everybody that has participated in this. ” Comrade Olawande said.
In his remarks, the National Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (NATOMORAS), Usman Buba Gwoza called on the federal government to fulfill its promise of empowering its members through the allocation of the CNG-powered tricycles.
According to him, the empowerment of NATOMORAS members with the tricycles would improve their livelihoods as well as support the administration’s goals of job creation, poverty alleviation, and environmental sustainability.
“We have walked this together, with trust, faith, and commitment. Now, we urge the government to honor its promise, recognizing the pivotal role NATOMORAS plays in Nigeria’s community transport system.
“Together, we can further build a future where clean energy, empowered citizens, and a prosperous nation go hand in hand,” he added.
The Project Director and CEO of the Pi-CNG, Michael Oluwagbemi said the initiative will reduce the cost of transportation for all Nigerians, and enhance economic well being of citizens as it will reduce dependence on Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS).
“One of those key promises of Mr. President was the implementation of the presidential CNG initiative to reduce the cost of transportation for all Nigerians, to enhance our economic well being by reducing our dependence on PMS and the subsequent expenditure of the federal government on fuel subsidy.
“This is to enhance the environment by ensuring that we are utilizing a cleaner fuel, a cheaper fuel, a safer fuel, a reliable fuel in compressed natural gas, and to create jobs, most especially for our teaming youth population that represent well over 75% of our population.”
