Empowering Youth and Promoting Sustainable Mobility: FG’s CNG Initiative Targets Transportation Challenges Nationwide
The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to kick off the distribution of 2,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered tricycles to youths in the transportation sector starting October 1, 2024. This initiative, under the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi), aims to mitigate rising transportation costs while promoting environmentally friendly and affordable mobility options.
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), the PCNGi announced that the distribution will begin in Abuja at 1:00 PM on October 1, at the Old Parade Ground in Area 11, Garki. The program is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s broader strategy to revamp the transportation sector through cleaner, cost-effective alternatives.
The PCNGi emphasized the significance of the initiative, stating, “The Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI) is distributing 2,000 CNG-powered tricycles to informal youth in the transportation sector, as part of President Tinubu’s administration’s efforts to reduce transportation costs for Nigerians.”
According to a statement from Michael Oluwagbemi, PCNGi Program Director/Chief Executive, this collaborative effort with the Ministry of Youths aims to provide young Nigerians with sustainable livelihoods while advancing both environmental and economic goals.
In addition, the PCNGi recently launched its Transport Fare Drop Programme in Abuja, promoting CNG as a cleaner, more affordable fuel alternative. This initiative includes a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to convert vehicles on the Abuja-Itakpe Station to Adavi route to CNG, targeting a 30-40% fare reduction.
Further commitments from the PCNGi include an agreement with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) on September 30 to establish strategic CNG conversion centers and train police cadets for management roles.
On October 2, the PCNGi will also unveil the Kogi State Conversion Incentive Programme, which involves handing over CNG buses to the state’s mass transit system and inaugurating three new CNG conversion sites. The initiative will expand to Ekiti State the following week, with plans to provide CNG buses to its mass transit system and launch four additional conversion sites.
This comprehensive approach not only aims to ease transportation costs but also promotes sustainable practices within the Nigerian transport sector, providing essential support to the youth and local economies.
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