Abia State Government has concluded plans to launch its first-ever State-owned Electric Bus Mass Transit Scheme under the Abia Transport Transformation Project.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing Journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council Meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu noted that the first batch of 20 buses arrived in the State in November, while another 20 units were expected early in the new year and added that about 100 buses would be deployed in the first phase of the scheme.
According to him, the 40-seater Electric Buses were custom-built for Abia State and have the capacity to travel up to 400 kilometres on a single charge.
“They are equipped with modern safety and comfort features, including internal and rear cameras, mobile charging ports, disability-friendly access, emergency exits and fire extinguishers”, he said.
Prince Kanu explained that the Mass Transit scheme would position Abia at the forefront of clean, safe and environmentally friendly public transportation in Nigeria, in line with the transport and climate change goals of the Governor Otti-led administration.
The Commissioner also disclosed that the Abia 25-Year Development Plan would be unveiled on Tuesday at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.
He said the event would attract development partners, members of the Abia Global Economic Advisory Council, Local Government Chairmen, Traditional Rulers and other key stakeholders.
On Healthcare, Prince Kanu announced that the Abia Global Medical Mission, in collaboration with Abia Diaspora Medical Personnel, commenced on Monday and would run until December 20, 2025.
The Commissioner said that free advanced Medical Services would be provided across designated centres in the State during the outreach.
He further revealed that the graduation ceremony of the second cohort of the Abia Techrise Information and Communication Technology Training Programme would hold on Saturday, with 850 youths expected to graduate, pointing out that this would bring the total number of beneficiaries trained under the programme in 2025 to 1,399 youths.
Prince Kanu also stated that the Ministry of Works has continued it’s Direct Labour interventions on major roads across the State, assuring residents of improved road conditions ahead of the yuletide.
He urged residents to remain vigilant during the festive season and report suspicious activities to Security Agencies, adding that the various Security Agencies had been placed on full alert to safeguard lives and property across the State.
