Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has directed the establishment of a committee to prepare an implementation framework for a proposed electric mass transit programme within 14 days.
The Renewed Hope Electric Transportation Initiative, a private sector-led proposal, aims to introduce electric mass transit services across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Akume gave the directive when he met the initiative’s promoters at the Shehu Shagari Complex in Abuja. The meeting was chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Political and Economic Affairs Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens.
The initiative’s convener, Haruna Madisca Achile, said the programme was intended to address rising transport costs following the removal of the fuel subsidy. He described it as a proposed public-private partnership, with private investment and technical expertise supported by government policy coordination.
According to the promoters, the rollout would begin with a pilot route in one major city in each geopolitical zone before expanding. They said the project would be privately financed and could create jobs for drivers, technicians and charging-station operators. Plans for local vehicle assembly and parts manufacturing would be considered in later phases.
Akume described the proposal as a response to the transport costs facing Nigerians and said his office would support coordination among the relevant stakeholders.
The committee, to be led by the initiative’s lead consultant, Prince Ade Omole, is expected to prepare a framework for consideration by the President within 14 days.
Also at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary of the Special Services Office, Sani Yargaya Aminu; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Transportation and Mobility, Adetokunbo Ademola Ade-John; and the Special Adviser to the President on Economic and Financial Inclusion, Nurudeen Zauro.
The delegation included representatives of the initiative and Caser Industries Company Limited, as well as the National President of the National Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association, Muhammad Sani Hassan.
The proposal has not yet been approved for implementation.
