The Tinubu administration will soon begin mass electric vehicle transportation in northeast Nigeria, following the approval of a couple of electric vehicle procurement contracts by the Federal Executive Council.
According to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, last week, FEC approved contracts worth almost $100 million, or N151.9 billion, to supply buses and tricycles and establish charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
According to him, the council approved the contract for the supply of ten 17-seater electric buses. Bluecrest Integrated Concept Limited, the beneficiary, will supply the buses within six months for N2.9 billion.
“Messrs Mutual Commitment Company Limited will supply 4000 e-tricycles for N49.6 billion within nine months, while Shanghai Integrated Infrastructure Development will supply 3,000 tricycles for N37.2 billion”, Onanuga stated.
“Sinoma Investment International Limited will supply another 3000 e-tricycles. All the tricycles can carry nine passengers and the driver at a go.
“For a contract sum of N16.3 billion, Messrs. HNCEGC will supply 100 BYD Dolphin EVs, 100 BYD Qin Plus EVs, and 37 BYD Yuan Plus EVs. At the same time, Messrs. KB Laman Motors Nigeria Limited will establish the charging points for the e-buses and tricycles for N8.4 billion”, the presidential aide remarked.
Mr. Onanuga further explained that the North East Development Commission will pay for the contracts as part of its plan to reduce carbon emissions and promote energy efficiency in the region.
He said that President Tinubu approved the procurement of the e-vehicles in October last year and inspected the samples of the e-vehicles, chargers, and batteries.