Abia State Government has announced an expansion in its electric vehicle procurement plan, increasing the number of electric buses for its mass transit programme from 20 to 40. This decision was among the resolutions reached at the State Executive Council’s weekly meeting held on Monday at Government House, Umuahia.
Speaking to newsmen on the outcome of the meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, revealed that alongside the additional buses, the number of charging stations to be built has been doubled from 10 to 20. He noted that the first set of 20 buses would arrive in November, with 12 of them to operate in Aba and 8 in Umuahia.
“Council has approved the increase in the number of electric buses to be procured for the state’s mass transit programme from 20 to 40 in the first instance,” Kanu said. “For the additional 20 buses ordered by the state government, some will operate on the Ohafia–Bende axis of the state. One bus sample was ready for inspection by the end of July.”
According to him, the new buses will strengthen the state’s ongoing transformation of the transport sector. He also disclosed that construction of state-of-the-art bus terminals in Aba and Umuahia is progressing, alongside junction improvement works and the building of bus shelters on designated routes.
On youth development, Prince Kanu announced that the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, in collaboration with Ethnocentriq Ltd., has onboarded 1,200 youths for the second cohort of the Fashion Future Skills Acquisition Programme.
The programme focuses on garment making and leather works and has attracted about 3 million dollars in sponsorship funding from the MasterCard Foundation.
“This huge injection of sponsorship funds into the Abia State economy is as a result of the sterling governance credentials of His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, and how the Abia State is currently perceived, not just in Nigeria but around the world,” he added.
He further explained that the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, working with the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, has launched the Abia State Creative Talent Hunt. This initiative aims to discover and empower young innovators and talents in music.
Prince Kanu also revealed plans for this year’s Youth Day celebration, scheduled for August 6 to 12, 2025. Activities for the celebration include a Youth Assembly, a symposium, and interstate youth exchange visits.
In the area of inclusive transportation, the state government has procured a wheelchair-accessible bus to support the mobility of physically challenged athletes. The bus will be used during the International Sports Championship, which will take place from September 3 to October 12, 2025.
The Commissioner also mentioned that the victorious Falconets players from Abia, who have returned to their clubs in Europe, will be officially hosted by Governor Otti later in the year.
Other officials present at the briefing included the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Sir Chris Onwuegbu, and Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha.
