Oando Clean Energy Limited, a subsidiary of Oando, in collaboration with Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), has announced the commencement of operations of Oando’s electric mass transit buses at the Lagos Bus Services Limited Head Office, Ilupeju, Lagos.
According to a statement made by the energy company, the initiative is aimed at transitioning the Lagos State Public transport system by providing a solution to a carbon-free mobility ecosystem within Lagos.
Oando stated that the buses would provide a viable, competitive, and environmentally friendly alternative to the current carbon-emitting engine mass transit buses.
Abinbola Akinajo, Managing Director, LAMATA emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships, adding that “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. LAMATA is a multi-fuel transport regulatory agency for Lagos, hence the partnership with OCEL for the use of EV buses in passenger operations.
LAMATA Upgrades Transportation In Lagos With Electric Bus Inauguration With Oando
“From LAMATA’s perspective, we are open to do business with the private sector while ensuring that these partners are aligned with the vision of Lagos state. I am elated that in just over a year since 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.”
Lagos being the most populous city in sub-Saharan Africa, has a population of over 20 million people, with the last decade, seeing the population of vehicles on Lagos roads increase exponentially, with also, over 3,000 mass transit buses operating in the state.
A recent study has shown that Lagos contributes 44,000kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per day, which has led the state to keep introducing several efficient means to combat transportation issues with sustainable technologies.
Speaking on the urgent need for electric vehicles to address transportation’s 62% contribution to Nigeria’s Green House Gas emissions, Dr. Ainojie Irune, President, OCEL added that “This is an opportunity for us to revolutionize mobility in our country as well as build local capacity for the renewable and clean energy ecosystem.
“While 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 for others to follow.”
He also expressed the commitment of the partners to achieve this current result, which he said “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,”.
While Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, Commissioner of Transport, Lagos State, representing Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, said “We are here today to write the script for a new future. Today, 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.”
