THE OGUN State Government on Wednesday launched its electric bikes and tricycles, aimed at reducing the cost of transportation and ensuring a cleaner environment by reducing carbon emissions in the state.
Gov. Dapo Abiodun while speaking at the launch, said the E-Mobility initiative marked another milestone toward a sustainable and green future for the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the launch of the first phase of 2,000 electric motorcycles was held at the Arcade Ground in Abeokuta.
“Our administration is committed to mitigating the impact of the subsidy removal and the high cost of diesel fuel while reducing transportation costs for our citizens.
“We will be releasing about 2000 e-bikes in the first phase. These commercial motorbikes can ride up to 75-80 kilometres on a full charge, and the vehicles can travel up to 200 kilometres, thus reducing transportation costs by 40 per cent.
“We aim to reduce our carbon footprint and bring about a significant change in how we think about transportation in our daily lives.
“This aligns with our energy transformation program for a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations,” he said.
The governor noted that Ogun has led the country in energy transition, being the first state to launch and deploy Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses in 2023.
According to him, the buses are currently deployed on the Ita-Oshin-Adatan route in Abeokuta, as well as the Mowe-Ibafo to Lagos routes.
This, according to him, would serve residents in that corridor, drastically reducing transportation fares.
“Through the launching of electric bikes, tricycles, vehicles, and battery swap stations at specific points, we are not just introducing a new mode of transportation.
”We are pioneering a movement toward a cleaner, more efficient, and technologically advanced way of life,” he added.
Also speaking, the Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Sa’idu Alkali, commended the state for being the first to launch the E-Mobility initiative.
He added that with this development, Ogun has joined other African countries that are currently using more than 15,000 e-bikes in their transportation sectors.
He said the programme would revolutionise the transportation sector not only in the state but in the country as a whole, as it would provide an alternative to fuel at reduced costs.
Alkali appealed to other state governments to take a cue from Ogun in partnering with the federal government in CNG usage.
The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, also commended the state for always being the first in any innovation that would benefit the people.
Represented by the Vice President of NNPCL, Mr Lekan Ogunseye, Kyari said the E-Mobility programme was capable of cutting transportation costs for both passengers and operators, as well as saving the environment from pollution.
He assured that NNPCL would have three charging points in its stations across the country, while supporting the state government by making swap stations available in its stations in the state.
Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Olugbenga Dairo, in his welcome address, said the launch of the programme was a follow up to the conversion of the CNG buses in 2023, aimed at addressing the increase in transportation fare occasioned by the subsidy removal.
The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, gave kudos to the governor for initiating the programme, which he said, is environmentally friendly.
He expressed the hope that it would bring down transportation costs and improve the standard of living of the people. (NAN)
