Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Abia State Government has announced plans to launch the first batch of 20 electric buses under its Mass Transit Scheme, ahead of the Christmas season.
The initiative, when launched, will make Abia the first state in Nigeria to operate a state-owned electric bus transport system.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday at Government House, Umuahia, while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
He said the first set of 20 electric buses under the scheme arrived in the state in November. According to him, the 40-seater buses were specially built for Abia State, adding that another batch of 20 buses is expected early in the new year.
“As earlier communicated, as we transit into the new year, the current fleet of 20 buses will eventually increase to about 100 buses in the first phase of the scheme,” Kanu said.
The commissioner also disclosed that Governor Otti has assented to the Abia State Start-up Bill, which provides a legal framework to promote innovation, support tech-enabled start-ups, nurture digital talent and position Abia as a leading technology hub in the country.
Kanu further announced that the graduation ceremony for the second cohort of the Abia Tech-Rise ICT training programme, during which 850 youths will be certified, is scheduled for Saturday, December 20. He said this will bring the total number of beneficiaries under the scheme to 1,399.
He also revealed that the Abia State Global Medical Mission commenced on Monday, December 15, across five centres in the state. The outreach, a collaboration between the state government and Abia Diaspora Medical Personnel, will run until December 20 at the Abia Specialist Hospital, Umuahia; Uzuakoli Methodist Hospital; Okoko Item Adult Care Centre; Seventh-Day Adventist Diagnostic Centre, Ogbor Hill, Aba; and Ahiaeke Medical Centre.
On infrastructure, Kanu said the Ministry of Works carried out direct labour interventions at 54 locations across the state during the period under review, with two roads completed and work ongoing at 32 project sites across the three senatorial zones.
He added that security agencies in the state have been placed on 24-hour alert to safeguard lives and property during and after the Yuletide, urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.
Speaking further, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu, described the electric bus initiative as a pilot scheme, noting that an interim charging station will be installed at the International Conference Centre.
He said the buses would offer free rides to commuters during the Yuletide period.
“We are not introducing this to take away businesses from private operators. What the government is doing is to de-risk the business, reset the pace, and attract private investors to come in,” Ukaegbu said.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, was also present at the briefing.
