Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has distributed 50 electric cars and 50 electric tricycles to 100 youths in the state as part of efforts to boost economic growth and support sustainable development.
Speaking during the distribution ceremony in Lafia on Thursday, Sule said the initiative was designed to empower the beneficiaries to run the vehicles as commercial businesses, creating new sources of income and reducing unemployment.
He explained that the vehicles are powered by electricity instead of petrol or Compressed Natural Gas, making them cheaper to maintain and more environmentally friendly.
The governor revealed that a charging centre had already been established at the newly constructed state secretariat in Lafia.
“We are going to build one charging centre each in Akwanga and Keffi Local Government Areas to serve the Nasarawa North and West Senatorial Districts, respectively,” Sule said. He also noted that additional charging centres would be developed across the remaining local government areas in due course.
According to him, the first batch of the electric cars and tricycles will be deployed in Lafia, Akwanga, and Keffi to provide transport services for civil servants and help cushion current economic realities.
“They will also serve tertiary institutions in the three locations, including the Federal University of Lafia, College of Education, Akwanga, and the State University in Keffi,” he added.
Sule further explained that all the vehicles are air-conditioned and can operate for an entire day once fully charged. He expressed optimism that the project would give beneficiaries sustainable livelihoods while also promoting green energy and environmental protection.
The Emir of Lafia and Chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, Retired Justice Muhammad Sidi-Bage, praised the governor for the intervention, describing it as a timely step to ease the economic hardship faced by residents.
He encouraged beneficiaries to use the vehicles responsibly, saying the initiative could help reduce the high cost of local transportation and provide relief to commuters.
The emir assured that traditional rulers would continue to support government policies and programmes.
He also pledged that royal fathers would remain non-partisan, while offering prayers and blessings to all political candidates, regardless of party affiliation.