By DORATHY ANINGE

The Benue Government on Monday launched electric vehicles that are eco-friendly with zero per cent emissions to reduce the cost of transportation in the state.

The founder, Esse Mobility Technical Partners, Mr Okey Esse, said that the initiative was one of a kind, as the vehicles were the first electric taxis in Africa.

Esse said that the feat was possible because of the foundation Gov. Hyacinth Alia laid to transform Benue and make it a competitive state in Nigeria.

The founder said that the cars were powered by the sun, which charges the battery and can carry people around Makurdi town, which is the pilot city for the scheme.

?Each of these cars has a lot of security gadgets infused in them, so when a passenger travels with the car, everything is being monitored.

?We have also gone a step further such that these cars are user-friendly. We ensured that all the technologies have no consequences for the drivers and the environment.

?From now to December, the target is to roll out 500 of these units. We will spread to other cities like Otukpo, Vandeikya and other local government areas.

?Our goal is to establish assembling factories in the state that would create more jobs for the people. Each car would generate direct jobs and other additional jobs in the charging centre and also in the administrative and operational areas.

?With these cars, people can move to different destinations even when it is raining, and by this we are looking at between now and December to create 8,500 jobs minimum for the state,? he said.

He thanked the state government for allowing them to pilot this initiative in Benue.

The Managing Director (M-D), Benue Investment and Property (BIPC), Mr Raymond Asemakaha, said the electric vehicles were a commitment to reducing carbon footprints and promoting eco-friendly transportation, as electric vehicles were the future of mobility.

Asemakaha further said the cars were a representation of a significant step towards reducing the reliance on fossil fuels.

The M-D stated that it was also a move to decrease air pollution and mitigate the impacts of climate change and is thrilled to see that this innovation is being adopted in the Benue community.

?The dedication of the Benue Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has made this possible, and we are proud to be among the pioneers to embrace the technology.

?This will reduce the rate of unemployment and increase the state GDP. This is all thanks to our co-manager Esse Mobility for unlocking the world to electric vehicles.

?Let?s continue to prioritise sustainability, innovation and environmental stewardship to create a cleaner, greener future,? he said.

In an opening remark, the Department Head of Business Development and Strategy, Mrs Theresa Abeda, said the electric vehicles would transform the metropolitan landscape of the state. (NAN)

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