Democracy Day: Otu Flags Off Distribution of 100 Electric Vehicles, Says Cross River Embracing Future of Clean Transportation

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has launched an ambitious electric mobility initiative with the presentation of 36 electric vehicles to Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service, describing the move as the first phase of a larger programme aimed at transforming public transportation and promoting clean energy across the state.

The unveiling ceremony, held as part of activities commemorating Democracy Day, underscored the administration’s determination to modernise governance, improve the welfare of public servants and reduce dependence on fossil fuels amid rising transportation costs.

Addressing dignitaries and beneficiaries at the event, Governor Otu said the initiative reflected his administration’s commitment to building an efficient and motivated public service capable of delivering quality governance to the people of Cross River State.

According to him, strengthening the bureaucracy remains central to the success of any government, noting that Permanent Secretaries occupy strategic positions in policy implementation and administration.

“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,” the governor said.

He paid glowing tribute to the state’s senior civil servants, describing them as highly competent professionals whose dedication deserved recognition and support.

“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. Nobody can beat them, as far as I am concerned. But whoever puts in labour also deserves a reward,” he stated.

Governor Otu explained that the decision to embrace electric vehicles followed extensive studies into the rising cost of transportation and the impact of volatility in the petroleum sector on the economy and citizens’ livelihoods.

He disclosed that the state government had initially considered adopting Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered vehicles because of Nigeria’s abundant gas resources. However, after evaluating available options, the administration concluded that electric mobility represented a more sustainable long-term solution.

“We discovered that about 60 per cent of our expenses are on transportation. We first looked at CNG because we have a lot of gas in the country, but later it became clear that if we were to build our people’s support on this, we had better go electric,” Otu explained.

The governor noted that electric vehicles would significantly reduce expenditure on fuel and maintenance, adding that beneficiaries would save over 75 per cent of the costs usually associated with operating conventional automobiles.

“Today, you are going to save almost more than 75 per cent of what you expend on fuelling your cars and running up and down. With these vehicles, you are not changing oil or constantly visiting mechanics. Once the battery is charged, the car is ready to move,” he said.

Although 36 electric vehicles were handed over during the ceremony, Governor Otu revealed that they represented only the first batch of a wider programme involving 100 electric vehicles and 100 electric tricycles designed to support empowerment schemes and public transportation.

He disclosed that the state government intended to gradually extend the initiative beyond senior civil servants to other arms of government and eventually to ordinary residents.

According to the governor, his administration envisions a future in which electric vehicles become widely accessible to the people of Cross River State.

“This is the first in a series. We still have a lot to do. Before the end of our term, or at the beginning of the next, everybody should be able to own the keys to an electric car because that will make movement seamless,” he said.

To ensure the success of the electric mobility programme, Governor Otu announced plans to establish charging infrastructure across the state.

He disclosed that relevant ministries had already advanced work on the development of charging ports and service facilities that would cater to both government-owned and privately owned electric vehicles.

“Beyond these cars, we are going to begin to set up charging ports, particularly for those that will serve the public. We have gone quite far with the plans, and the relevant ministries are already working on them,” he said.

The governor also acknowledged the role played by the Cross River State House of Assembly in supporting his administration’s programmes through the passage of budgets and enabling legislation.

He stressed that collaboration between the executive and legislative arms had been instrumental to many of the developmental milestones achieved by his administration.

“For us to get all these things here, we had to sit down, debate and pass the budget. Together, we will continue to build a very strong Cross River State that all of us will be proud of,” he remarked.

Earlier, the Head of Service, Barrister Orok Okon, hailed the presentation of the electric vehicles as a watershed moment in the history of the Cross River State Civil Service.

He noted that for more than a decade, Permanent Secretaries in the state had not enjoyed such a benefit and commended Governor Otu for changing the narrative.

Okon described the beneficiaries as pioneers in the adoption of modern electric automobile technology within the state government and expressed appreciation to the governor for what he termed an unprecedented gesture.

“Generations of Permanent Secretaries who worked for this state in the last ten years were not this fortunate. Today, His Excellency has broken that jinx. The first beneficiaries of the latest global technology in electric automobiles are Permanent Secretaries serving in the Government of Cross River State. We can never thank you enough,” he said.

He assured the governor that the gesture would inspire greater dedication and commitment among civil servants and ultimately translate into improved service delivery for the people of Cross River State.

The Democracy Day unveiling of the electric vehicles marks one of the most ambitious efforts by a state government in Nigeria to promote clean energy transportation, as Cross River positions itself at the forefront of the country’s transition towards environmentally sustainable mobility.