By
HANNAH AKANTA
The North-East Development Commission, NEDC, says it is targeting 10,000 electric tricycles, 300 electric taxis, and 30 electric buses for deployment across the region to improve transportation and create jobs.
The NEDC Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Alkali, stated this at a stakeholders’ sensitisation workshop on electric mobility in Jalingo, Taraba State, with the theme, “Powering the North-East: Embracing Electric Mobility for a Cleaner, Smarter and Prosperous Future.”
Represented by the Taraba State Coordinator, Adamu Lawan, Alkali, said the Commission was working with Attahir Enterprises to reduce transportation costs and improve connectivity across the region.
He said the initiative would promote economic efficiency, encourage innovation, create employment, and reduce carbon emissions.
Alkali used the opportunity to call on stakeholders to support the initiative to ensure its smooth implementation and sustainability across the North-East Zone.
Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of Attahir Enterprises, Bunu Abatcha, said electric mobility could help address transportation challenges and create new economic opportunities across the North-East.
Abatcha stressed the need for a sustainable system that would ensure proper maintenance of the vehicles, generate revenue, and provide lasting benefits to participants.
He said the initiative aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the North-East Stabilisation and Development Master Plan, which recognises transportation as an important part of regional development.
Abatcha called for greater private-sector involvement in financing, operating, and maintaining the electric vehicles, saying collaboration would be key to the project’s success.
COV/HANNAH AKANTA
