Lagos has joined global cities that embraced electric vehicles as Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL), in conjunction with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, launched its Electric-Mass Tansit buses.
The endeavour is geared towards the transformation of the State’s public transport system through the development and deployment of a pathway to a carbon free mobility ecosystem within the State.
The roll-out of the electric buses kicked off with a three-month Proof-Of-Concept (PoC) phase, aimed at establishing the viability of electric vehicles for mass transportation in Lagos State. This will be followed by a Pilot phase with an expanded fleet and bus routes, and the eventual countrywide deployment creating employment for over 30,000 Nigerians.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director, LAMATA, Abimbola Akinoja, stated: “This initiative is a major aspect of our vision for transportation in Lagos State, we are desirous of having a clean and efficient transportation system.
‘‘I am elated that in just over a year that Oando Clean Energy came to us to discuss the possibility of working with us in the deployment of electric buses we have signed MoU with a key deliverable being the implementation of a PoC that would allow us finally include electric buses in our ecosystem.”
In his remark, President/Chief Executive Officer, OCEL, Dr. Ainojie Irune, said the concept is aimed at revolutionalizing Nigeria’s transport sector.