The Federal Government, in collaboration with the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, has launched the distribution of 2,000 CNG-powered tricycles aimed at empowering Nigerian youth.
The launch event, which took place at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja on Tuesday, was part of the celebrations for Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary.
In his speech, Project Director of the Presidential Initiative on CNG, Michael Oluwagbemi stated that the distribution of the tricycles represents the fulfillment of President Bola Tinubu’s promises to lower transportation costs, improve economic conditions, promote environmental sustainability through clean fuel usage, and create job opportunities for the youth through the implementation of CNG.
He noted that the CNG tricycles were assembled in Shagamu and emphasized that their distribution is anticipated to generate employment opportunities in operations, maintenance, and deployment throughout Nigeria.
“I’m pleased to announce to you that we are here to deliver on Mr President’s promise and to hand over 2,000 CNG-powered tricycles that will begin to form the bedrock of this revolution.
“These tricycles you see here are not just here to be used in Nigeria. They are also wholly assembled in Nigeria in a factory in Shagamu. Over 50 young people were trained in the last three weeks and are putting together these CNG tricycles, and many more of them are coming,” he said.
He noted that “beyond the tricycle assembly, we expect that with this delivery thousands of youths across our country will be employed not just in the operations of these tricycles, but also in the maintenance and efficient deployment of these tricycles across Nigeria.
“It represents a very small step towards delivering the future that is powered by gas that ensures Nigeria’s development, that transforms a resource that we are abundantly blessed with, that yet we waste today into something that creates wealth and jobs for all Nigerians.”
The Minister for Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, stated that the tricycles would help alleviate transportation challenges for both transporters and citizens, praising the Tinubu administration’s dedication to enhancing the quality of life for young people.
“These tricycles will go a long way in easing the transportation challenges faced by our transporters and citizens across the country. In this crucial time of economic reforms, this intervention will serve as a great relief to our people, demonstrating the administration’s dedication to the quality of life for young people”, she said.
She also emphasized that the National Youth Investment Fund would act as a “financial backbone” for young investors to succeed in the transportation sector, while the Ministry aims to partner with the P-CNGi to achieve its goal of distributing 2 million tricycles.
