Fuel Hike: Kwara State To Flood Streets With Commercial Electric Tricycles
By: Tunde Akanbi, Ilorin
Kwara state, amidst rising cost of fuel in the country, is set to flood the streets with commercial electric tricycles expected to ease transportation problem in the state.
The plan for this was revealed at the stakeholders meeting held on Electric Tricycles Acquisition Scheme in Ilorin, the state capital.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the EV Mass Transit Solutions, James Clinton, said 5,000 of the electric tricycles would be made available to the state.
He however said the project will start with 500 of the tricycles as a pilot scheme in Ilorin, the state capital, before it would be extended to other parts of the state.
Clinton who described the programme as first of its kind in Nigeria by his organisation disclosed that it would fully take off in the state by December.
He praised the state government for facilitating locations for swap cabinets where rundown batteries will be easily swapped with the charged one.
Clinton who said the tricycles use neither fuel nor oil, explained that the battery when fully charged can last a trip of 80 kilometers.
He said the tricycle is a 7-seater passenger vehicle with a driver.
While disclosing that the vehicle will be given out to the purchaser with payment of purchase price on instrumental basis, Clinton said 10 percent of the purchase price would first be paid after which the remainder would be required to be paid between the next 30 and 36 months.
He said that manufacturers of the tricycles would be available in the state with spear parts of the vehicles for repair purposes.
Also speaking, chairman of the state chapter of the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), Saliu Giddado assured the EV Mass Transit Solutions and other stakeholders that they would all recover the money they may spend on the scheme.
He urged his members who may be beneficiaries of the scheme not to default in the refund of the purchase price.
“I want to reassure all the parties that will involve in this business not to entertain any fear about recovery of the money spent on the business. We have wealth of experience to handle the business.
“I want at this juncture, turn to my members who may be beneficiaries of the tricycle to perform according to the rules of the business, what we intend doing is business not Christmas cake or lleya Ram. You will not have any reason to default since all what can cause you delay will be taken care of.
“Conclusively, I want to bring glad tidings to the general public that there is no way the transport fare will not crash, because perpetual increase in fuel pump price contributed largely to the higher rate of transport fare, but with emergence of this new innovation we shall all have cause to glorify God Almighty,” he stated.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology, Damilola Adelodun, said that the introduction of the electric tricycles into the nation’s transport system marked a bold step towards embracing technology and promoting eco-friendly alternatives in line with global trends.
This welcome initiative will enhance our transportation system and address environmental concerns by reducing carbon emissions, which aligns with our broader goal of creating a cleaner, greener Kwara.
The introduction of electric tricycles is one of many steps we are taking to transform Kwara into a hub of technological advancement and a business-friendly state. We are committed to supporting initiatives that promote clean energy, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, and enhance our transport infrastructure.
Olusola Akintonde
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