Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, on Thursday distributed 50 electric cars and 50 electric tricycles to 100 indigent youths in the state as part of efforts to boost economic empowerment and promote environmental sustainability.
Speaking during the distribution ceremony in Lafia, Governor Sule explained that the vehicles would be used by beneficiaries to generate income through transport services, thereby addressing unemployment and easing the economic burden on residents.
He noted that the cars and tricycles are fully powered by electricity rather than petrol or Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). To support their use, the state government has established a charging centre at the newly built state secretariat in Lafia. Additional charging centres will be constructed in Akwanga and Keffi to serve Nasarawa North and West Senatorial Districts, while more will be built across other local governments in the future.
The first batch of vehicles, according to the governor, will be deployed to Lafia, Akwanga, and Keffi to transport civil servants and serve tertiary institutions including the Federal University of Lafia, College of Education Akwanga, and Nasarawa State University in Keffi.
Governor Sule assured that each vehicle is air-conditioned and capable of operating for an entire day after a full charge. He expressed optimism that the project would not only provide sustainable livelihoods for beneficiaries but also reduce transport costs for residents.
In his remarks, the Emir of Lafia and Chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, Retired Justice Muhammad Sidi-Bage, commended the initiative and urged beneficiaries to use the vehicles responsibly. He noted that the intervention would help ease the high cost of transportation while pledging the continued support of traditional rulers for government programmes.
