On Monday, President Tinubu commissioned 107 electric/gas buses, and taxis in Borno State for a mass transit scheme and it is being lauded as one of Governor Babagana Zulum’s government ways of cushioning the impact of the fuel subsidy removal.
The fleet of vehicles that make up the mass transit scheme include 35 units of 30-seater gas-powered coaster buses, 12 units of 15-seater gas-powered Hummer buses, 10 units of 50-seater gas-powered mass transit buses, and 50 units of 4-seater electric-powered taxi vehicles.
AT the event, President Bola Tinubu hailed Zulum for the foresight, saying his development strides are innovative. According to him, “We are going to take advantage of your foresight and proactiveness to at the sub-national level be able to start an assembly plant and add more value to the economy and bring economic prosperity to our people. You (Zulum) are doing a good job, thank you very much,”
In his response, Governor Zulum stated that the move was part of his administration’s metro transport scheme and to cushion the impact of the fuel subsidy removal.
He added, “Mr President, after you announced the subsidy removal and your consequent directive to governors to provide immediate palliative, in Borno State we decided to invest massively in a mass transit scheme.”
According to the governor, the 107 vehicles were converted to use electricity and gas to help enhance the use of low-cost energy sources and cheap transportation.
How sustainable is this development?
However, the sustainability of electric and gas-powered vehicles in Borno State, given the current power situation in Nigeria, raises valid considerations. Nigeria has faced challenges in maintaining a consistent and reliable power supply across the country, and this can impact the feasibility of electric vehicles (EVs) in particular. Nigeria has the lowest access to electricity globally, with about 92 million out of the country’s more than 200 million population lacking access to power, according to the Energy Progress Report 2022 released by Tracking SDG 7.
For electric vehicles to thrive, a robust and stable electricity infrastructure is crucial. The success of EV adoption depends on the availability of charging infrastructure and reliable power grids. In areas where power outages are frequent, the practicality of electric vehicles may be hindered.
Gas-powered vehicles, on the other hand, may offer a more immediate and practical solution, given the existing infrastructure for compressed natural gas (CNG). CNG is relatively more accessible and can be a viable option for mass transit schemes. It is crucial to ensure that the infrastructure supporting gas-powered vehicles is well-maintained and expanded as needed.
The long-term sustainability of these initiatives will depend on a combination of factors, including advancements in power infrastructure, the effectiveness of maintenance programs, and the government’s commitment to promoting alternative energy sources. Continuous investment in the power sector, coupled with a strategic approach to integrating electric and gas-powered vehicles into the transportation system, will be key to ensuring the success and sustainability of these initiatives in Borno State and beyond.
