The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles has handed over five electric vehicles to transport operators in Kano. The vehicles have 20-seater capacity. They went to Camel Mobility and Kano Metropolitan Transport Company. The handover took place on Saturday in Kano. The initiative projects a 40% reduction in transport fares.
Transport costs in Nigeria have risen sharply since the petrol subsidy was removed in May 2023. Pump prices rose from about ₦185 to over ₦1,400 per litre. Fares followed. The government launched the Pi-CNG and EV initiative to provide cheaper alternatives. It has deployed CNG buses in Lagos, Abuja and other states. Electric vehicles are a newer addition. The goal is to reduce dependence on petrol and diesel. Kano is the latest state to receive the fleet.
Ahmed Katuka, Manager Assets at Pi-CNG and EV, spoke at the ceremony. He said the deployment would crash transport fares by at least 40%. He said the electric buses were in addition to the 14-seater and high-capacity buses already deployed to Kano. He said the initiative promotes cleaner, safer and more affordable transportation. It also reduces carbon emissions and improves passenger safety. The Chief Operating Officer of Camel Mobility, Ahmed Garba-Ahmed, commended the initiative. He said the electric vehicle sector is a big ecosystem. He pledged to put the vehicles to use. He appealed to the Kano State Government to create corridors, bus stops and security architecture for efficient operation. The Manager of the Kano Division of the Kano Metropolitan Transport Company, Ahmad Rufai-Yusuf, said the initiative would cut fuel costs and reduce fares.
Winners: Commuters, if fares fall. Transport operators, who gain vehicles. The Federal Government, which shows action. Kano State, which gains cleaner transport. Losers: Petrol marketers, who lose customers. Diesel suppliers. Operators without access to the scheme. Taxpayers, if the vehicles are underutilised. The government, if the 40% projection is not met.
Bottom Line: Five electric buses. A 40% fare cut projected. Kano commuters need relief. The vehicles must run. The infrastructure must support them. The projection is a promise. Delivery is the test.