Kwara state government, in partnership with a private firm, is set to flood the state with commercial electric tricycles expected to ease transportation problems in the state, amidst the rising cost of fuel in the country.
Speaking at the stakeholders meeting held on the Electric Tricycles Acquisition Scheme in Ilorin on Thursday, the Director-General of the EV Mass Transit Solutions, James Oludele 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 is extended to other parts of the state.
Clinton, who described the program as the first of its kind in Nigeria by his organisation, said 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 ones.
Clinton, who said the tricycles use neither fuel nor oil, explained that the battery, when fully charged, can last a trip of 80 kilometres.
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 the purchase price on an installment 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 spare 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 on the refund of the purchase price.
“I want to reassure all the parties that will be involved in this business not to entertain any fear about recovery of the money spent on the business. We have a wealth of experience to handle the business.
“I want, at this juncture, to 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 that can cause your 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 the perpetual increase in fuel pump price contributed largely to the higher rate of transport fare, but with the emergence of this new innovation, we shall all have cause to glorify God Almighty,” he stated.
Also speaking, commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology, Damilola Adelodun, said that the introduction of 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.”
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