Ikeazor, FCT minister unveil environmental-friendly mini-bus prototype for intra-city transportation

The Ministry of environment has unveiled a 7-seater mini bus which it noted can be used for city transportation and contribute, to reduced green house gasses while it promoted the nationally determined contributions to carbon credit in the country.

The Minister of Environment, Sharon Ikeazor and her counterpart in the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Muhammad Bello, said the bus initiative fits into the national project of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration programme which was targeted at youth empowerment and would enjoy the support of the government in upscaling the Project.

The bus was unveiled at the 15th National Council of Environment (NCE) which held in Abuja with the theme “Appraisal of the Emerging Challenges and the Opportunities in the Environment Sector, A Call for Action Towards the Environment of Our Dream.”

The two ministers had a ride in the mini-bus, within the Nicon Luxury complex, where they assured the designer, Mustapha Abubakar Gajibo, who rode with them in the mini-bus of support from the federal government.

According to Ikeazor, the bus project would complement the gamut of efforts by the Nigerian government to improve on the carbon footprint in Nigeria.

“It is all part of creating jobs, we will definitely support it, so that they can upscale and that the prices will come down, this is part of our nationally determined contribution (NDCs)

“One of the plan of our NDCs is reducing emission, that is why they are here. This is what other states will see and take it back to their states. The ministry will definitely be supporting them.

“For the reduction of our emission, we promised 20% of our reduction unconditionally, and we are close to that. We made commitment for 47% with support from development partners and the international community, but for that 20% commitment that we made, we are close to achieving that.”

FCT Minister Bello said the initiative would have direct impact on intra-city transportation.

His words: “Obviously, what you have seen today fits into what the government is doing under President Muhammadu Buhari, to encourage the young people to release their energies, this gentle man that you saw now is a graduate of mechanical engineering, from the University of Maiduguri. Look at what he has done.

“We have driven in the bus and you saw how it was operated, we will give it a push and provide them with support.

“Like the minister of environment has said, I am sure we would support them towards upscaling the project.

“The city of Abuja will also see how we can support to make sure that some of these vehicles, when properly produced, will be deployed in the city.

“The climate change fight has to be holistic, and the commissioners of environment from the 36 states are here.”

Abubakar told Nigerian Tribune that the material for the minibus were sourced locally to about 40 percent.

He pointed out that his challenge has been that of support for the project, adding that National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) had been approached but promises were made without complementary follow up to same.

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