The Federal Government has unveiled 100 electric buses under the Renewed Hope Mass Transit Programme to provide affordable and reliable transportation for federal civil servants.
The initiative was launched on Wednesday at Eagle Square, Abuja, with 37 of the 100 buses deployed as the first phase of the programme.
Speaking at the event, the outgoing Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, described the project as a major intervention aimed at improving workers’ welfare and productivity.
Walson-Jack, whose tenure ends less than 24 hours after the unveiling, described the initiative as her “parting gift” to federal civil servants.
“What we have here is 37 buses, being the first instalment of the 100 Electric Buses,” she said.
She explained that transportation costs and commuting conditions had significant effects on workers’ finances, safety, punctuality and performance.
“For many Civil Servants, the daily commute shapes their finances, their safety, their punctuality, and ultimately their productivity,” she said.
According to her, the buses would help reduce workers’ transportation expenses and commuting risks while enabling them to arrive at their workplaces with greater energy and improved productivity.
She added that the service would initially operate on selected routes under a pilot scheme before being expanded to other locations.
“The buses will also be deployed to Federal Secretariats across the states,” Walson-Jack said.
She disclosed that a Special Purpose Vehicle had been established to oversee the management, maintenance and sustainability of the electric buses.
The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh, said the initiative went beyond transportation, describing it as a combination of workers’ welfare, productivity, technology and industrial development.
Enoh said each of the 100 electric buses could carry up to 200 passengers and travel at least 200 kilometres on a full charge.
The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Olu Osanipin, also said the initial deployment represented the beginning of a phased rollout.
He stated that the complete fleet of 100 electric buses was expected to be deployed by December 2026.
Enoh commended the NADDC and other stakeholders involved in the project, urging local manufacturers to establish production facilities, increase local content and develop globally competitive electric vehicles.
He added that the Federal Government remained committed to ensuring that its economic reforms translated into job creation, industrial growth, infrastructure development and improved living standards for Nigerians.
