The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has begun a stakeholders meeting in Damaturu, ahead of the Federal Government’s plan to distribute 10,000 electric vehicles (EVs) across the region.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the intervention, initiated by the federal government through the Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to provide affordable transportation and boost economic recovery.
10,000 units are tricycles, while 300 and 30 units are taxis and buses, respectively.
Speaking at the occasion, the NEDC State Coordinator, Prof. Ali Abbas, said that the Commission’s Managing Director, Dr Mohammed Alkali, was mainstreaming green mobility and the economy in line with the agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He said the essence of the engagement was to generate inputs from critical stakeholders in the state’s transport sector for effective implementation of the project.
Abbas listed the stakeholders to include the Ministry of Transportation, the police, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), traditional rulers and the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
According to him, EVs are cheaper to maintain and environmentally friendly when compared to conventional vehicles.
He expressed optimism that the planned distribution of EVs would cushion the hike in transportation fare largely caused by fuel subsidy removal.
The coordinator announced that the plan had reached an advanced stage to establish EV charging stations in the six states of the region.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Transport and Energy, Alhaji Muhammed Bara, said the electric tricycles would empower youths through employment generation.
“The tricycles will empower the grassroots economy, providing affordable connectivity and creating jobs for youths.
“The 300 taxis would modernise intra-city travel, offering a cleaner and cheaper alternative to commuters.
“The buses will serve as the backbone of mass transit connecting our towns, reducing the burden on our roads,” he said.
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