FCTA works with NADDC on a more environmentally friendly transportation system

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has stated that it will assist the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) in building an environmentally friendly public transportation system to help make Abuja a green metropolis.

Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), announced this when he received the NADDC administration, led by its Director General, Jelani Aliyu.

After enjoying a test drive in a Hyundai Kona, an electric vehicle produced in Nigeria as a significant mode of public transit, the FCT minister stated that the administration’s long-term goal was to turn Abuja into one of the country’s greenest capitals.

“The suggestion presented by the DG fits into our long-term plan for the city,” he stated. As you are aware, we take pride in making Abuja one of the country’s greenest cities, from the creation of vegetation and tree planting to deliberate efforts to ensure that sophisticated trash disposal systems are established.

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“So, this basically brings us to the next phase, which is attempting to strengthen the city’s transportation infrastructure, particularly our mass transit system and what’s known as the last mile.

“That is why, as you may have observed, we no longer allow tricycles and motorbikes to operate in many parts of the city, and we are gradually phasing out the usage of diesel buses. But, in the end, my vision and that of my team is for Abuja to go electric in terms of transit systems and even motor vehicles, as we have seen today,” he added.

“This is something that requires a lot of planning, and as you can see, technology for solar, solar batteries, and power retention is gradually improving,” the Minister stated when asked about the availability of technology to enable widespread usage of electric vehicles.

So, if we start today and instill it as a culture, I believe it will only be a matter of time before we get there.”

He promised the NADDC the support of the FCT government in terms of the NADDC’s project criteria, either directly or through a Public Private Partnership (PPP).

He also praised the NADDC DG and his team for their efforts around the country, encouraging them to consider Abuja as a good site for all of their activities.

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Mr. Jelani Aliyu, Director General of the NADDC, said his team was at the FCTA to begin discussions with the administration in order to contribute to making Abuja one of the world’s most advanced and green cities.

He claimed that the Hyundai Kona is Nigeria’s first electric vehicle, with a range of 492 kilometers and the ability to be charged from any electric outlet, and that the NDDC has built solar charging stations in Sokoto, Lagos, and Nsukka to support the vehicle.