FG launches portal to allow youths access CNG-powered tricycles

The federal government has launched a portal that would allow youths access to compressed natural gas (CNG) powered tricycles.

Ayodele Olawande, minister of state for youth development, spoke in Abuja on Monday.

The activation of the portal follows the successful launch of 2,000 CNG tricycles by the federal government on October 1.

Olawande said youths across the country could access the portal and sign up to be merged with aggregators or owners who work directly under the presidential CNG initiative (P-CNGi), while beginning the process of becoming owners themselves.

He said the aim is to enthrone a transparent process of enlisting young people into the presidential CNG initiative.

“By embracing CNG, we are building a cleaner environment for our nation,” Olawande said.

“We are also saving the nation in terms of the cost that is typically spent on subsidy for petrol and bankrupting the country for so long now.”

He called on the youths operating in the commercial transportation sector or those interested in joining the sector to enlist to benefit from the initiative.

To access the portal, the minister said there are two websites namely — www.youthcng.ng and www.bci.gov.ng/tricycles — with instructions and procedures on getting enlisted.

Olawande said the national youth investment fund (NYIF), with an initial capital of N110 billion, was designed to provide financial support to youth entrepreneurs and start-ups.

“Others are the student loans to give every willing Nigerian youth the chance to access quality education without financial worries,” he said.

“The Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) was set up as a platform to teach the relevant skills that would propel the active participation of youth in the business sector and the job market.”

On his part, Muhammad Hassan, the national president of the National Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association, said the association is committed to not just mobilising members but also achieving the mandate of the project.

“We will also ensure that members not only use the tricycles properly but that they pay back as soon as possible,’’ Hassan said.

In his remarks, Michael Oluwagbemi, project director and chief executive officer (CEO) of the P-CNGi said the initiative would enhance the economic well-being of Nigerians by reducing dependence on petrol.

Oluwagbemi, who was represented by Tosin Coker, head of commercial at P-CNGi, said the CNG initiative would reduce the cost of transportation for Nigerians.

The project director also said the project will enable youths to have the opportunity to be gainfully employed.