As part of activities marking Democracy Day, the Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has unveiled 36 electric vehicles for permanent secretaries in the state.
Key Highlights:
- Bassey Otu unveiled 36 electric vehicles for permanent secretaries in Cross River State.
- The initiative was announced during Democracy Day celebrations.
- Otu said the vehicles will reduce transportation and maintenance costs.
- The state plans to deploy 100 electric vehicles and 100 electric tricycles.
- Government also plans to build charging stations across the state.
He, declared that the initiative marks the beginning of a broader transition to clean energy transportation and a renewed commitment to strengthening the state’s public service architecture.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, Governor Otu said the gesture is designed to dignify public service, improve efficiency in governance, and reduce the burden of transportation costs on senior civil servants.
“One of the main directions and focuses of our administration is to build integrity in service and also dignify the different officials and give them confidence to be able to produce at the highest level anybody can think of,” the governor said.
Describing permanent secretaries as some of the most competent professionals in the country, Governor Otu stressed that a strong bureaucracy remains the engine room of government.
He added that “Cross River State is never lacking in capacity at any point in time. Some of the people we are trying to strengthen are among the best you can think of in the country.
“Nobody can beat them, as far as I am concerned. But whoever puts in labour also deserves a reward,” he stated.
The governor explained that the state’s decision to embrace electric mobility followed a careful assessment of the rising cost of transportation and the vulnerability of citizens to fluctuations in the petroleum sector.
According to him, while the administration initially considered Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles, it eventually settled for electric vehicles as a more sustainable option.
“We discovered that about 60 percent of our expenses are on transportation. We first looked at CNG because we have a lot of gas in the country, but later it became clear that if we were to build our people’s support on this, we had better go electric,” he said.
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Highlighting the economic and environmental benefits of the initiative, Governor Otu noted that beneficiaries would save significantly on transportation and vehicle maintenance costs.
“Today, you are going to save almost more than 75 percent of what you expend on fueling your cars and running up and down.
“,With these vehicles, you are not changing oil or constantly visiting mechanics. Once the battery is charged, the car is ready to move,” he explained.
The governor disclosed that the 36 vehicles handed over to permanent secretaries represent the first batch of a larger programme involving 100 electric vehicles and 100 electric tricycles earmarked for empowerment and public transportation purposes.
He further revealed plans to extend the initiative to other arms of government and eventually make electric mobility accessible to a wider segment of the population.
“This is the first in a series. We still have a lot to do. Before the end of our term, or at the beginning of the next, everybody should be able to own the keys to an electric car because that will make movement seamless,” he said.
Governor Otu also announced plans to establish charging infrastructure across the state to support the growing adoption of electric vehicles.
