The Federal Government has commissioned 100 electric buses under the Renewed Hope Mass Transit Programme as part of efforts to ease transportation challenges and improve the welfare of federal civil servants.
The buses were unveiled on Wednesday at Eagle Square in Abuja by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack.
The first phase of the programme involves the deployment of 37 buses out of the 100 approved under the initiative.
Walson-Jack described the project as a major milestone in improving the welfare of civil servants and referred to it as her “parting gift” to federal workers, coming less than 24 hours before the end of her tenure as Head of the Civil Service.
She said the first 37 buses represented the initial instalment of the 100 electric buses approved under the programme.
According to her, transportation has a significant impact on workers’ finances, safety, punctuality and productivity. She said providing affordable and reliable transportation would help reduce the daily burden faced by civil servants.
Walson-Jack said the intervention would enable workers to save money, reduce commuting risks and arrive at their workplaces with more energy to perform their duties effectively.
She disclosed that the buses would initially operate on selected routes under a pilot phase before being fully deployed. The buses are also expected to serve Federal Secretariats across the states.
A Special Purpose Vehicle has been established to oversee the management, maintenance and long-term sustainability of the buses.
The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, described the initiative as more than a transportation project, saying it brings together workers’ welfare, productivity, industrialisation and technology.
Enoh said each of the 100 electric buses could accommodate up to 200 passengers and travel a minimum of 200 kilometres on a full charge.
The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Olu Osanipin, said the initial deployment marked the beginning of a phased rollout.
He stated that the full complement of 100 electric buses is expected to be deployed by December 2026.
Enoh also urged local manufacturers to invest in production facilities, deepen local content and develop globally competitive electric buses.
He said the Federal Government remained committed to ensuring that its economic reforms translate into industrial growth, employment, infrastructure development and improved living standards for Nigerians.
