NEDC to Launch Solar-Powered Tricycles and Taxis in North East

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has unveiled plans to introduce a fleet of solar-powered vehicles aimed at enhancing inter-state transportation in the region.

This fleet will include a nine-seater tricycle, a four-seater taxi, and a 40-seater bus.

During a meeting in Maiduguri on Wednesday with representatives from the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO), NEDC General Manager Mohammed Goni stated that this initiative is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for the transportation sector.

He said, “The Commission has sought the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and he has granted the go-ahead. So we are meeting with you today to discuss the modalities of operation. NATO and NURTW are the major stakeholders in the road transportation system in Nigeria, and as such, we are committed to carrying you along.

“We want to introduce some innovative ideas into our transportation system in the North East. This will be done in three dimensions: the first will be a nine-seater solar-powered tricycle, the second is a four-seater solar-powered taxi, and the third is a 40-seater bus. We want to deploy 10,000 tricycles. The tricycle will be much more significant than the others. We believe it will go a long way in covering the entire North East.”

He also mentioned that the Commission is looking into utilizing solar energy to power the vehicles, taking advantage of the region’s abundant sunlight.

He noted that fully charged buses can cover distances of up to 300 kilometers and shared plans to conduct training sessions for drivers and NEDC staff to facilitate smooth operations.

Goni emphasized that this initiative demonstrates the NEDC’s commitment to improving the transportation sector in the North East and urged the unions to focus on effective management.

In response, Taraba State NATO Chairman Adama Tukur praised the NEDC for this innovation, describing it as a meaningful contribution to combating climate change.

“Just four or five years in your office, you have done tremendously well, and now we are seeing this development again. We appreciate you and your team members,” he said.

The Secretary of the NURTW in Borno State, Ahmodu Musa, also commended the initiative, highlighting the need for effective deployment of the vehicles to ensure its success.