History has been made in Nasarawa State as Governor Abdullahi Sule has distributed 100 electric vehicles to 100 indigent youths in the state.
The initiative, which includes 50 electric cars and 50 electric tricycles, is aimed at fostering economic growth and sustainability.
Speaking during the distribution ceremony on Thursday in Lafia, Sule said the programme was designed to empower the beneficiaries in businesses.
He noted that this strategy was intended to reduce unemployment and provide a source of income for the youths.
The initiative highlights the government’s focus on creating job opportunities and adopting environmentally friendly transportation options.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, he explained that the vehicles and tricycles are powered by electricity rather than petrol or Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
Sule added that the state had already established a charging centre at the newly constructed state secretariat in Lafia.
“We are going to build one charging centre each in Akwanga and Keffi Local Government Areas to serve the Nasarawa North and West Senatorial Districts respectively,” the governor said.
Sule further promised that more charging centres would be constructed across the remaining local government areas of the state in due course.
According to him, the first batch of the cars and tricycles will be deployed to Lafia, Akwanga and Keffi to convey civil servants to their offices as part of efforts to cushion current economic realities.
“They will also serve tertiary institutions in the three locations, including the Federal University of Lafia, College of Education, Akwanga, and the State University in Keffi,” he said.
The governor noted that all the cars and tricycles are air-conditioned and capable of running for an entire day after being fully charged.
He expressed optimism that the initiative would not only provide livelihoods for beneficiaries but also promote environmental sustainability.
In his remarks, Retired Justice Muhammad Sidi-Bage, the Emir of Lafia and Chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, commended Sule for his efforts to ease the economic hardship faced by citizens.
He urged beneficiaries to utilise the vehicles responsibly to reduce the high cost of local transportation, thereby providing relief to residents.
The emir also pledged the continued support of traditional rulers for government policies and programmes, assuring that royal fathers would remain non-partisan while offering prayers and blessings to all political candidates irrespective of party affiliation.
