The North-East Development Commission has engaged stakeholders in Bauchi State on plans to deploy 10,330 electric vehicles across the six states of the region. The initiative is aimed at reducing transportation costs and creating employment opportunities.
The initiative comprises 10,000 electric tricycles, 300 electric taxis and 30 electric buses and is being implemented in partnership with Attahir Enterprises Nigeria Limited.
Speaking at the end of a two-day stakeholders’ engagement and sensitisation workshop in Bauchi on Friday, the NEDC Bauchi State Coordinator, Aliyu Isiyaku, said the project was designed to provide affordable, safer and environmentally friendly transportation services.
The workshop, themed “Powering the North-East: Embracing Electric Mobility for a Cleaner, Smarter and Prosperous Future,” brought together transport operators, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
Isiyaku said the engagement was aimed at ensuring that stakeholders understood the project and contributed to its successful implementation, particularly at the grassroots.
He said the initiative was expected to create jobs for young people, protect the environment and lower carbon emissions.
According to him, the success of the initial phase would determine the possibility of expanding the deployment of electric vehicles across the region.
He urged stakeholders to support the initiative and sensitise residents to ensure its acceptance and sustainability.
The Chief Executive Officer of Attahir Enterprises Nigeria Limited, Umar Abacha, said the electric vehicles could travel up to 300 kilometres on a full charge.
He explained that the electric buses and taxis would primarily operate in urban centres, while three charging points would be established to support their operations.
Abacha added that the electric tricycles would be deployed to local government areas to extend the benefits of the programme to rural communities.
He said each electric tricycle would come with two charging units, enabling operators to charge their vehicles at home.
According to him, the vehicles would be handed over to the respective state governments for distribution to beneficiaries, who would undergo training before operating them.
He said the training would equip operators with the knowledge required to use the vehicles safely and efficiently.
The District Head of Shafa, Lawal Mohammed, pledged the support of traditional institutions in creating awareness about the initiative.
Mohammed said traditional rulers would sensitise their communities to the benefits of electric mobility and encourage residents, particularly those in rural areas, to embrace the programme.
He called for sustained engagement with community leaders to ensure the initiative achieved its objectives.
Similarly, the Bauchi State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Ismail Abubakar, commended the NEDC and the Federal Government for introducing the initiative.
Abubakar described the programme as a potential means of reducing transportation costs and improving the livelihoods of transport operators.
He urged the commission to distribute the vehicles through recognised transport associations to promote transparency, accountability and fairness in selecting beneficiaries.
