Democracy Day: Cross River Unveils Electric Vehicles for Senior Civil Servants

Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has unveiled an electric mobility initiative, distributing 36 electric vehicles to Permanent Secretaries as part of the Democracy Day celebrations. This move signifies a broader shift towards clean energy transportation and an effort to bolster governance through enhanced welfare for senior public servants.

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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.

Governor Otu highlighted that the initiative is designed to boost efficiency within the public service and alleviate transportation costs for top officials. He emphasized the administration's focus on building integrity in service and dignifying officials to empower them to perform at their highest potential. Otu described permanent secretaries as crucial to government performance, stressing that a strong bureaucracy is fundamental to effective governance.

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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.

The decision to adopt electric vehicles stemmed from an assessment of escalating transportation costs and the necessity for a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Otu noted that approximately 60% of the state's expenses were related to transportation. While Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) was considered, the administration ultimately opted for electric vehicles to build public support for cleaner energy.

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We discovered that about 60 per cent of our expenses are on transportation.

Otu projected that these vehicles would significantly reduce running costs for beneficiaries, potentially saving over 75% on fuel expenses and minimizing maintenance issues. He announced that the 36 vehicles represent the initial phase of a larger program encompassing 100 electric vehicles and 100 electric tricycles, aimed at expanding access to clean transport across the state. The governor also revealed plans to establish charging infrastructure to support the growing adoption of electric vehicles within Cross River State.

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Today, you are going to save almost more than 75 per cent of what you expend on fueling your cars and running up and down.