mORGANABLE Politics/Governance
The District Head of Shafa, Lawal Mohammed, pledged the support of traditional institutions towards ensuring the successful implementation of the initiative
KaNo—
The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has unveiled plans to deploy 10,330 electric vehicles across the six states of the North-East geopolitical zone as part of efforts to reduce transportation costs, create employment opportunities and promote environmentally friendly mobility.
The initiative, which comprises 10,000 electric tricycles, 300 electric taxis and 30 electric buses, is being implemented in partnership with Attahir Enterprises Nigeria Limited.
Speaking at the conclusion 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, safe and sustainable transportation services across the region.
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 explained that the engagement was organised to familiarise stakeholders with the initiative and secure their cooperation towards its successful implementation, particularly in rural communities.
He said the introduction of electric vehicles would help address transportation challenges while providing employment opportunities for young people and reducing environmental pollution.
According to him, the programme is expected to contribute to efforts to reduce carbon emissions and encourage the adoption of cleaner transportation alternatives across the region.
The coordinator noted that the success of the initial phase would determine whether the commission would expand the deployment of electric vehicles to additional beneficiaries.
He urged traditional institutions, transport associations and community leaders to support the programme by educating residents about its benefits and encouraging public acceptance.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Attahir Enterprises Nigeria Limited, Umar Abacha, disclosed that the electric vehicles could travel up to 300 kilometres on a full charge.
Abacha explained that the electric taxis and buses would operate primarily in urban centres, while three charging points would be established to support their operations.
He added that the electric tricycles would be distributed across local government areas to ensure that rural communities also benefited from the initiative.
According to him, each electric tricycle would be supplied with two charging units, allowing beneficiaries to recharge their vehicles at home without depending entirely on public charging facilities.
Abacha said the vehicles would be handed over to the respective state governments for distribution to selected beneficiaries, who would undergo training before commencing operations.
He explained that the training would equip operators with the necessary knowledge to handle the vehicles safely, maintain them properly and ensure efficient service delivery.
The District Head of Shafa, Lawal Mohammed, pledged the support of traditional institutions towards ensuring the successful implementation of the initiative.
Mohammed said traditional rulers would sensitise residents, particularly those in rural communities, to the benefits of electric mobility and encourage participation in the programme.
He called for sustained collaboration between the commission and community leaders to strengthen public confidence and ensure that 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 programme.
Abubakar described the initiative as a welcome development that could reduce transportation expenses and improve the economic wellbeing of commercial transport operators.
He, however, urged the commission to involve recognised transport associations in distributing the vehicles to ensure transparency, fairness and accountability in selecting beneficiaries.
According to him, transport unions are better positioned to identify genuine operators who require assistance and would utilise the vehicles for their intended purposes.
The Chairman of the Bauchi State Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators’ Association, Bala Dauda, also expressed readiness to support the initiative.
Dauda said the association welcomed programmes aimed at improving the welfare of transport operators and reducing transportation costs for passengers.
He appealed to the commission to involve relevant unions in identifying beneficiaries, stressing that their participation would help ensure that the vehicles reached operators who genuinely needed them.
Also speaking, the Zonal Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Abdullahi Muhammad, described the initiative as a potential solution to rising transportation costs and unemployment.
“We are very excited and happy about the project because of the benefits it will bring to the people,” Muhammad said.
He, however, emphasised the importance of proper management and sustainability, warning that the programme could fail to achieve its objectives without effective monitoring.
“My advice is that adequate attention should be given to the sustainability of the project because we believe it will benefit the masses across the country,” he said.
Muhammad cautioned against distributing the vehicles without clearly defined conditions governing their operation, ownership and maintenance.
He stressed that beneficiaries must understand their responsibilities and ensure that the vehicles were properly maintained to protect the investment.
The transport union leader also warned beneficiaries against treating the vehicles as their share of the national cake, explaining that they were intended to improve transportation services and create sustainable livelihoods.
“If the project is properly implemented and managed, I believe it will have a positive impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
Muhammad further urged the authorities to reconsider plans to distribute the vehicles through state governments, expressing concern that political considerations could influence beneficiary selection.
He recommended direct distribution through recognised transport unions, arguing that such associations operated under established constitutions, rules and regulations that could strengthen accountability.
The zonal chairman also proposed equitable distribution across Bauchi State’s three senatorial zones, while recommending that unsuccessful applicants be considered during subsequent phases.
He maintained that transparent selection procedures, clear operational guidelines and regular monitoring would be essential to preventing diversion and misuse.
Muhammad identified rising petrol prices as a major challenge confronting commercial transport operators, noting that fuel expenses had significantly increased the cost of providing transportation services.
He cited the prevailing petrol price of about ₦1,460 per litre as a substantial financial burden on operators and passengers.
According to him, electric vehicles could reduce dependence on petrol and ease operating costs, although beneficiaries would still incur expenses associated with charging, maintenance and other operational requirements.
He expressed optimism that effective implementation of the initiative would improve mobility, support transport businesses and provide economic opportunities for residents across the North-East.
