World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Monday launched the 20 electric shuttle buses, unveiled by Abia State Governor Alex Otti.
Speaking at the event held at the Umuahia International Conference Centre, Otti hailed the initiative as a significant step towards sustainable transport, saying it “defines our movement towards the future”.
Governor Otti emphasized that the project aligns with global zero-emissions goals, initially exploring buses powered by compressed natural gas before transitioning to electric vehicles.
“But then we had in mind the goal the world is heading towards: zero emissions.
“And we knew that, although CNG is a cleaner gas, it is also not free of emissions. And we thought that we should take a step forward and go to electric buses,” said Otti.
According to him, the buses, manufactured by Coscharis Group, are disability compliant, air-conditioned and equipped with surveillance cameras for added security, noting that the state government has installed alternative charging stations at the International Conference Center in Umuahia, with additional stations planned for Aba, Ohafia and other locations due to the maritime accident of the ship carrying the charging stations meant to accompany the buses to Nigeria.
He said: “So what we expect today is for these buses to start moving. Tomorrow they will be on the scheduled movement.”
“We are starting small, so maybe not all 20 will be on the road at the same time, but at least you will see a considerable number.
“As we use them, we learn and correct. There can be challenges left, right and center.”
Otti further revealed that the buses can travel between 400 and 450 kilometers on a full charge and will operate free of charge from December 23 to early January 2026.
“You would have read not long ago that the state emerged as the best in terms of public sector or public transport. I am sure you saw that it costs much less in Abia State than any other state in Nigeria.
“Therefore, the introduction of electric buses will further reduce the cost of transportation.
“During this period, between tomorrow and January, these buses will carry our citizens free of charge.
“You arrive at the station, you queue. Once the bus arrives, it is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. If you miss the first one, you wait for the second one. The buses will run in the morning, in the afternoon and at night.
“It is also important that we respect people living with disabilities. If you meet them at bus stations, please let them have the right of first refusal.”
Commissioning the buses, Okonjo-Iweala commended the Abia State Government for the initiative, describing it as a step towards addressing climate change.
“It is a wonderful surprise to hear about the commissioning of these electric buses because you all know that one of the biggest things we suffer in the world is the problem of pollution and climate change.
“So the fact that in Abia State we are doing something extraordinary by bringing these buses is just a wonderful thing.
“I hope this is just the beginning and that we go from strength to strength,” he said.
The Commissioner for Transport, Chimezie Ukaegbu, credited Governor Otti’s progressive vision for making Abia a hotspot for innovation, sustainability and growth, saying this project was a direct result of the plan.
Ukaegbu said the buses represented a deliberate shift from dependence on fossil fuels to cleaner energy solutions that reduce carbon emissions, minimize noise pollution and promote healthier cities.
Also speaking was the Founder and Chairman of Coscharis Group, manufacturer of electric buses, Cosmas Maduka, who said Abia was the first state in Nigeria to launch electric buses.
“We tried our best to convince him (Governor Otti) to switch to CNG, but he insisted it would be electric or nothing.
“Abia State occupies a leading position in this country whether anyone likes it or not. If you go to Abia today, your power supply is uninterrupted.
“You cannot steal on this bus. When you are on this bus, everything you do is recorded and we can track you wherever you are. On this bus, you have an air conditioner. You know it is a quality of a product that no matter what level you are in society,” Maduka said.
Other senior government officials and residents of the state also attended the inauguration.
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