Maryam Aminu
In a strategic move to address Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure and create economic opportunities for youth, the Federal Government has launched a new portal that will enable young Nigerians to access 2,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tricycles.
The portal, which is part of the Presidential CNG Initiative (PI-CNG), aims to connect youth in the transportation sector with opportunities to own or lease these tricycles, a key element of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s palliative programme.
The Honourable Minister of State for Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, unveiled the portal on October 7, 2024, in Abuja, during an event organized in collaboration with the National Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners & Riders Association (NATOMORAS).
The initiative marks a significant step towards improving transportation infrastructure in Nigeria, while also providing employment opportunities for young people.
Speaking at the event, Comrade Olawande emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that young Nigerians, regardless of their social or financial background, have equal access to all government programmes. “This portal is dedicated to fostering transparency in the enrollment of youth into the Presidential CNG Initiative,” the Minister explained, adding that youth from all regions of Nigeria can now register and be linked with aggregators or tricycle owners participating in the programme.
“This aligns with President Tinubu’s vision of equal opportunities for all, without the need for influential connections. The launch of the Youth Portal reaffirms our dedication to making sure every young Nigerian has access to the benefits of the Ministry’s programmes,” Olawande added.
The launch of the CNG tricycle portal is a major milestone in the government’s efforts to modernize Nigeria’s transportation sector, reduce emissions through cleaner energy, and foster economic growth. Young people working in commercial transportation, as well as those interested in joining the sector, are being encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity by visiting the two available portals: http://www.youthcng.ng and http://www.pci.gov.ng/tricycle.
Mr. Tosin Coker, a representative of the Presidential CNG Initiative, expressed his optimism about the collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Development and NATOMORAS.
“This initiative creates tremendous opportunities for young Nigerians. They can partner with aggregators, gain employment, and eventually own these tricycles,” he said, praising the Ministry for its leadership and the aggregators for their support.
Alhaji Sani Hassan, Chairman of NATOMORAS, called the portal launch a historic moment for the association, which represents tricycle and motorcycle operators across the country.
“We are deeply grateful for this opportunity, which will open doors for our members. NATOMORAS is fully committed to mobilizing and educating our members to ensure they fully benefit from this programme,” he assured.
With this initiative, the Federal Government has made clear its intention to empower youth through job creation, while simultaneously addressing the nation’s transportation challenges.
As the portal goes live, thousands of young Nigerians now stand to benefit from new opportunities, bringing a much-needed boost to both the transportation sector and the national economy.
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