The Nigerian government will distribute 2,000 CNG-powered tricycles to youths nationwide starting October 1, 2024.
This initiative, announced by the Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawale, aims to provide affordable transportation options and reduce fuel costs for young riders.
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Overview of the empowerment initiative
The tricycles will be distributed as part of the celebration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary. This project will help relieve some economic stress on the tricycle operators. They will only pay 20% of what they currently pay for fuel because they now use compressed natural gas (CNG). This decision should make the riders more profitable and their transportation cheaper for the passengers.
Government commitment
According to Mr Olawale, President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu prizes prospectiveness in implementing electoral campaign objectives, especially fighting youth unemployment. He said this project is in synchrony with the Presidential Initiative on CNG, which focuses on other fuel types and creates new employment opportunities in transportation.
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Broader Economic Context
This comes at a time when the Nigerian government, through various agencies, has been trying to promote the youth’s abilities through the National Youth Investment Fund and other programs that support the youth in enhancing digital literacy and innovation. Wish as it may, the government is offering these CNG tricycles with the prospect of creating some form of economic activity within the youths of Nigeria in an environmentally friendly way.
As this date nears, people expect this program to greatly enhance the employment of youth and sustainable transportation in Nigeria.