President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, launched the electric tricycle aimed at cutting public transport cost by 40% through an empowered initiative.
BusinessDay gathered that the empowered initiative, is also designed to empower Nigeria youths to be self- employed, even as Government hopes to reduce carbon emissions and promote cleaner and healthier environment through the initiative
The President, while flagging off the programme at the Eagle Square, Abuja, said the initiative was to create jobs for Nigeria’s teeming youth population, reduce pollution and the high cost of transportation, especially within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
According to the President, “the initiative aligns with our energy transformation programme, aimed at reducing carbon emissions, promoting cleaner, healthier environment for the future generation of Nigerians.”
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The President, while commending the Federal Ministry of Youth Development for the initiative, assured that his Administration would always give priority attention to issues affecting the youth.
Speaking with journalists ahead of the event, Israel Olajumoke, Chief Executive Officer of House of Destiny, the firm behind the initiative, explained that the project was conceived and developed by the company before the Federal Government adopted it as a key pathway to boost economic growth, environmental sustainability and youth empowerment.
The initiative, he said, is being executed in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
He called on Nigeria to help promote cleaner and healthier environment, joining the global shift towards clean energy, adding that the electric tricycles are efficient, eco-friendly and cost-effective.
To ensure nationwide rollout, he said the firm has also partnered with the National Association of Tricycle Owners and Riders (NATOMORAS).
“If you’ve been to China, about 70% of their vehicles are now electric. The world is transiting and Nigeria cannot be left behind,” he said.
Olajumoke explained that the tricycles can be charged through various sources, including power supply from national grid, generators and solar systems. “It comes with its own charging gun. As long as there is power from any source, you can charge it,” he added
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According to him, the tricycles are easy to assemble and rely on replaceable components, which makes maintenance cheaper and simpler for local technicians
“While production currently involves partnerships with Chinese manufacturers, the company is constructing a local assembly plant within the Abuja Free Trade Zone, expected to be operational in six months”, he said.
He added that House of Destiny planned to establish additional factories across the Country, beginning with Ogun State. “Our goal is to spread across Nigeria and then into Africa. This is a national movement”, he added.
