The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has officially launched its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) e-portal, aimed at empowering Nigerian youths in the commercial transport sector, particularly those interested in operating CNG-powered tricycles.
This initiative was disclosed by the Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, during a press conference held at his office on Monday.
The launch follows the Federal Government’s unveiling of 2,000 CNG-powered tricycles on October 1, 2024, through the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PiCNG) and the ministry.
This distribution is part of efforts to empower Nigerian youths and alleviate transportation costs across the country.
The Project Director of PiCNG, Michael Oluwagbemi, emphasized the significance of this step, stating, “The distribution of the tricycles marked the fulfilment of promises made by President Bola Tinubu to reduce transport costs and enhance economic well-being, among other benefits.”
Through the newly launched portal, youths across Nigeria can register and be matched with aggregators or owners directly affiliated with the PiCNG programme.
In describing the portal’s purpose, Oluwagbemi added, “The youth portal we are launching aims to build transparency around the process of enlisting youth into the presidential CNG initiative in the transport sector.
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What this means is that we are opening the process, and any young person willing and ready to take advantage of the programme can participate.”
He further explained that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of providing equal opportunities for all Nigerians, regardless of their background.
“I, therefore, call on all youths working in the commercial transport sector, or those interested in joining, to register and benefit from the PiCNG as a significant part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s palliative programme,” Oluwagbemi urged, encouraging youths to visit www.youthcng.ng or www.pci.gov.ng/tricycle to register for the programme.
Also addressing the event, the Programme Director and CEO of PiCNG, Michael Oluwagbemi, represented by Mr. Tosin Coker, highlighted the importance of CNG for the future of Nigeria, saying, “Indeed, CNG is the future of Nigeria, just as the youths are the future of this nation. By embracing CNG, we are building a cleaner environment as we move away from PMS and diesel.”
He stressed the economic benefits of the transition to CNG, noting, “We are also saving the nation in terms of the costs previously spent on petrol subsidies, which have been draining the country’s resources for so long. So, what we are doing here is not just a handout; it’s something deeper. As I mentioned, the youth are our future, and it is up to all of us to do what we can for them.”
