Wike distributes 80 vehicles for renewed hope youth empowerment program | The Guardian Nigeria News

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has unveiled the FCT Renewed Hope Youth Empowerment Programme, which includes the distribution of 80 vehicles to youths.

At the event held in Abuja on Thursday, Wike disclosed that his aim was to empower youths financially while also reducing the cost of transportation in the FCT.

He said the program was part of the FCT Administration’s efforts to empower and develop youth to contribute meaningfully to the development of the region.

He explained that the vehicles will be used as a pilot transport scheme in Asokoro, Maitama and Guzape before being expanded to other parts of the FCT.

He added that more vehicles would be purchased and distributed to other beneficiaries in all areas of the FCT, including district councils.

He said brand new vehicles painted in FCT colors would be given to the first group of beneficiaries free of charge but on the condition that they charge less transportation fee to the residents.

“This is our support to make sure you have something to feed, to make sure you feed your family, and also to reduce the cost of transportation in the city.

“We will bring more vehicles because by January there will be no taxis on our roads that are not profiled and painted in FCT colours,” he said.

The minister said the program will also phase out commercial tricycles operating in the city.

He explained that the previously announced N10 billion approved by President Bola Tinubu for youth empowerment and development would be made available subject to availability of funds.

The Authority asked the Secretary, Youth Development Secretariat (FCTA), Mr. Abdullahi Ango, to prepare a program or proposal on how youths can benefit from the funds.

He said the proposed program could be skill building or any program that would help the youth.

“But I will not approve of conferences, conferences are of no use to any young person.

“Make a program on what the government will do with this money to improve the lives of the youth because the N10 billion needs to be used critically.

“We are ready to do anything that will change the lives of young people in the FCT,” the Minister said.

Earlier, Ango thanked the Minister for the gesture, saying: “This intervention has never happened in the history of the FCT. We have never had it this good.”

“You are a blessing to the people of the FCT and a blessing to the entire nation.”

He announced that 20 of the 80 vehicles consisted of Toyota hiace buses, 30 GAC SUVs and 30 Suzuki minibuses.

He called on the beneficiaries to be profiled by the security agencies to be financially independent, using the vehicles for the intended purpose and at designated locations.

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