The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Monday unveiled the first batch of 20 electric buses introduced by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for green shuttle services across the state.
Speaking at the event held at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Otti said the initiative “defines our movement towards the future”.
He explained that the project initially began with compressed natural gas-powered buses, but the government later decided to transition to electric vehicles in line with global climate targets.
“But then, we had in mind the target that the world is headed towards and that is zero emission.
“And we knew that even though CNGs are cleaner gases, they are also not without emissions. And we thought we should leapfrog and go to electric buses,” Otti stated.
The governor announced that the 20 electric buses were People With Disabilities-compliant.
He noted that the charging stations meant to accompany the buses did not arrive in Nigeria due to a maritime accident involving the vessel conveying them.
However, he said the state government installed alternative charging stations at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.
Otti added that additional charging stations would be installed in Aba, Ohafia and other locations, and would also be available to private electric vehicle owners.
He said, “So, what we expect today is that these buses will start moving. By tomorrow it will be on scheduled movement.
“We are starting small, so, maybe not all 20 will be on the road at the same time but at least you’ll see a sizable number.
“As we use them, we learn and correct. There may be challenges left, right and centre.”
The governor disclosed that the buses can travel between 400 and 450 kilometres and said their deployment would further reduce transportation costs in the state.
“You would have read not too long ago that the State emerged as the best in terms of public sector or public transportation. I’m sure you saw that it costs much less in Abia State than in every other State in Nigeria.
“So, the introduction of the electric buses will even further reduce the cost of transportation.
“For this period between tomorrow and sometime in January, these buses will take our citizens to and through free of charge.
“You get to the station, you queue up. Once the bus arrives, it is first-come first-served. If you miss the first one, you wait for the second one. The buses will operate morning, afternoon and evening.
“It is also important that we respect people living with disabilities. If you find them in the bus stations, please, let them have first right of refusal.”
Commissioning the buses, Okonjo-Iweala commended the Abia State Government for the initiative, describing it as a step towards addressing climate change.
“It’s a wonderful surprise to hear about the commissioning of these electric buses because you all know that one of the biggest things we suffer from in the World is the problem of pollution and climate change.
“So, for the fact that in Abia State, we are doing something extraordinary in bringing these buses, is just a delightful thing.
“I hope that this is just the beginning and we will go from strength to strength,” she said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Transport, Chimezie Ukaegbu, said the initiative was a direct outcome of Governor Otti’s forward-thinking agenda and his resolve to reposition Abia State as a hub of innovation, sustainability and inclusive development.
Ukaegbu said the buses represented a deliberate shift from fossil fuel dependence to cleaner energy solutions that reduce carbon emissions, minimise noise pollution and promote healthier cities.
Also speaking, the founder and president of Coscharis Group, manufacturer of the electric buses, Cosmas Maduka, said Abia was the first state in Nigeria to launch electric buses.
“We did everything we could to convince him (Gov. Otti) to go CNG, but he insisted it would be electric or nothing.
“Abia State is on the leading position in this country whether anybody likes it or not. You go to Abia today, your power supply is uninterrupted.
“You can’t do a pick-pocket in this bus. When you are on this bus, everything you do is recorded and we can trace you wherever you are. On this bus, you have an air conditioner. You know it’s a quality of a product that it doesn’t matter the level you are in the society,” Maduka stated.
The event was attended by senior government officials and residents of the state.
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