As part of activities to mark this year's Nigeria independence day celebrations, Federal Government has commenced the distribution of 2000 CNG-Powered Tricycles to youths in the country with the aim of empowering the youth populace and improving the economic strength of the nation.
This initiative by the federal government is being delivered through the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
The flag-off event which took place at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja on Tuesday, was part of activities of president Tinubu Government to commemorate the 64th anniversary of Nigeria’s Independence.
While speaking, the Project Director of the Presidential Initiative on CNG, Michael Oluwagbemi, stated that the distribution of the tricycles sealed the fulfilment of promises made by President Bola Tinubu to reduce the cost of transportation, enhance economic growth and creation of jobs for the youth population, through the establishment of the Compressed Natural Gas Initiative.
He revealed that the CNG tricycles were assembled in Shagamu, stressing that it was expected that the delivery of the tricycles would create employment opportunities, and that commencement of the deployment of the tricycles across the nation is already in progress.
In his statement he said: "" 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 also 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.” he said.
The Minister for Youth Development for the federation, Dr Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, mentioned that the tricycles would ease transportation challenges currently faced by citizens across the nation, commending the Tinubu-led administration’s commitment to improving the livelihood of the youths.
In her words she said: "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 also spoke on how the National Youth Investment Fund would serve as a “financial backbone” for young investors to thrive in the transportation sector, even as the Ministry further hoped to collaborate with the P-CNGi to reach its 2 million tricycles target.
