OKONKO IWEALA COMMISSIONS ABIA ELECTRIC GREEN SHUTTLE BUSES

OKONKO IWEALA COMMISSIONS ABIA ELECTRIC GREEN SHUTTLE BUSES

David Maduako –Umuahia

The Director General of World Trade Organisation Dr. Mrs Okonjo IWEALA have commissioned the first ever Abia state Electric buses bought by the administration of Dr. Alex Otti governor of Abia State .

Commissioning the buses , Dr.Iweala commended the state governor Dr. Otti for procuring the buses saying that one of the major problems facing the Globe has been that of air pollution and there is every need for all hands to be on deck to achieve a cleaner environment. She said this is just the beginning , we soon shall grow from strength to strengtht .

Speaking at the event held at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Governor Alex Otti stated that the initiative “defines our movement towards the future”.

The governor said though he was aware of CNG buses , but he preferred Electric buses due to it’s non emission status .

” we know that though CNGs are cleaner gases, they are also not without emissions. And we thought we should go for electric buses” Gov. Otti stated.

He announced that people with Disability were duly considered in course of the manufacturing of the buses .

Governor Otti, who noted that, the charging stations that should have come with the buses, did not make it to Nigeria as the vessel that was supposed to convey them to Nigeria had an accident mid sea, however explained that his government found an alternative by installing charging stations at ICC, Umuahia.

The State Chief Executive assured that the charging stations would also be installed in Aba, Ohafia and other locations .

The Governor disclosed that the buses can travel 400 to 450 kilometers and informed the gathering that it would further reduce transportation cost in Abia .

In his speech, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu said that the initiative is a direct product of Governor Otti ‘s forward thinking agenda and his resolve to reposition Abia State as a hub of innovation, sustainability and inclusive development.

Dr Ukaegbu thanked the Governor for his commitment to infrastructure renewal, climate-friendly policies and improved urban mobility and said that the buses represent a deliberate shift away from dependency on fossil fuels, towards cleaner energy solutions that reduce carbon emissions, minimize noise pollution and promote healthier cities.

Speaking earlier, the founder and president of COSCHARIS Group, manufacturer of the EV Buses, Dr. Cosmas Maduka revealed that, Abia State is the first State that is launching electric buses in the country, expresing the hope that other States are going to follow suit soon
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