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Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) appears set to deploy the recently-delivered Oando electric mass transit buses as it launched on Tuesday what it described as the ”proof-of-concept phase” of the introduction of Electric Vehicle buses for passenger operations in the State.
The three-month proof-of-concept phase is aimed at establishing the viability of electric vehicles for mass transportation in Lagos State, and to derive key learnings for an expanded programme across the country.
The ‘proof-of-concept phase will be followed by a pilot phase with an expanded fleet and bus routes, and the eventual countrywide deployment creating employment for over 30,000 Nigerians.
The launch event was held at the Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL) head office, Ilupeju, Lagos.
The electric buses roll-out initiative, according to Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL), a subsidiary of Oando Plc., which delivered the Yutong electric mass transit buses to LAMATA a fortnight ago, was aimed at transitioning the Lagos State public transport system through the development of a pathway to a carbon-free mobility ecosystem within the state. Oando maintained that the buses will provide a viable, competitive, and environmentally friendly alternative to the current internal combustion engine mass transit buses.
Managing Director of LAMATA, Abimbola Akinajo, while highlighting the importance of public-private-partnerships in the state, explained that LAMATA is a multi-fuel transport regulatory agency for Lagos hence the partnership with OCEL for the use of buses in passenger operations.
“This initiative is a major aspect of our vision for transportation in Lagos State, we are desirous of having a clean and efficient transportation system. Today’s event is proof of our desire to involve the private sector in our activities to give the average Lagosian the ability to meet their mobility needs.
“From LAMATA’s perspective, we are open to doing business with the private sector whilst ensuring that these partners are aligned with the vision of Lagos state.
“I am elated that in just over a year that Oando Clean Energy came to us to discuss the possibility of working with us in the deployment of electric buses, we have signed an MoU with a key deliverable being the implementation of a PoC that would allow us finally include electric buses in our ecosystem,” Akinajo said.
Also speaking at the launch, the immediate past Commissioner for Energy & Mineral Resources, Lagos State, Olalere Odusote, said: “We had identified transportation as a major cause of pollutants and health problems in the State. For us, this initiative is another step we’re taking as a Government to ensure we clean up the environment in addition to ongoing initiatives in the energy sector.”
On the urgent need for electric vehicles to address transportation’s 62 per cent contribution to Nigeria’s GHG emissions, President/CEO of OCEL, Ainojie Irune, said: “This is an opportunity for us to revolutionise mobility in our country as well as build local capacity for the renewable and clean energy ecosystem. Whilst today these buses have come from across the world, in the very near future they will be produced here in Nigeria.
“In the very near future, we will have a multitude of locally trained engineers who are capable of operating, maintaining, and servicing these buses and other renewable energy assets. We see these buses as a first step. This PoC facilitates the collection of the first sets of data points to support the development and deployment of EV for municipal and public transport on the continent.
“Our ambition together with Lagos State, is to set our sights on the future and chart a path to follow. We have worked tirelessly to get here, and we are confident that the steps we are taking, which I must reiterate would not have been possible without the support of Lagos state, LAMATA, LBSL, Primero, and His Excellency, the Governor, who saw the vision and imperative of committing to this journey.”
He added that the company is committed to the success of the initiative and plans to expand its services through partnerships with leading players in the global renewable energy space, saying “We believe that these electric vehicles have the potential to transform the transportation sector in Nigeria and provide a sustainable solution for the country’s growing population.”
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu,who was represented by the immediate past Commissioner of Transport, Frederick Oladeinde, said: “We are here today to write the script for a new future” as he explained that there is abundant evidence that shows that human activities have been the main drivers of climate change primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas.
‘This situation has given rise to affirmative actions by world leaders and environmentalists to act fast to save our world. Lagos is the only state in Nigeria that has prepared and initiated the execution of a climate action plan.
“The plan outlines 26 efforts covering adaptation and mitigation actions to build a sustainable low carbon economy in the pursuit of achieving net zero emissions by 2050,” the governor said.
