Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has distributed 50 electric cars and 50 electric tricycles to 100 indigent youths to foster economic growth and sustainability in the state.

Mr Sule, while distributing the vehicles on Thursday in Lafia, said the initiative was aimed at empowering beneficiaries to run the vehicles as businesses, thereby reducing unemployment.

He explained that the vehicles and tricycles were powered by electricity rather than petrol or Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

Mr Sule added that the state had already established a charging centre at the newly constructed state secretariat in Lafia.

He stated, “We are going to build one charging centre each in Akwanga and Keffi Local Government Areas to serve the Nasarawa North and West Senatorial Districts respectively.’’

Mr Sule further promised that more charging centres would be constructed across the remaining local government areas of the state in due course.

According to him, the first batch of the cars and tricycles will be deployed to Lafia, Akwanga and Keffi to convey civil servants to their offices as part of efforts to cushion current economic realities.

He said, “They will also serve tertiary institutions in the three locations, including the Federal University of Lafia, College of Education, Akwanga, and the State University in Keffi.’’

The governor noted that all the cars and tricycles were air-conditioned and capable of running for an entire day after being fully charged.

He expressed optimism that the initiative would not only provide livelihoods for beneficiaries but also promote environmental sustainability.

In his remarks, the Emir of Lafia and Chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, Justice Muhammad Sidi-Bage (retd) commended Mr Sule for his efforts to ease the economic hardship faced by citizens.

He urged beneficiaries to utilise the vehicles responsibly to reduce the high cost of local transportation, thereby providing relief to residents.

The emir also pledged the continued support of traditional rulers for government policies and programmes, assuring that royal fathers would remain non-partisan while offering prayers and blessings to political candidates irrespective of party affiliation. 

(NAN)