Abia State has announced plans to launch Nigeria’s first state-owned electric bus mass transit scheme, positioning the state as a pioneer in clean public transportation.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists at the Government House, Umuahia, after the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said the first batch of 20 electric buses arrived in the state in November, with another 20 expected early next year.

“The 40-seater electric buses were specially built for Abia State. In the first phase, the fleet will eventually increase to about 100 buses,” he said.

He also announced that Governor Otti would unveil Abia’s 25-year Development Plan on Tuesday, describing it as a strategic roadmap for the state’s long-term transformation.

Additionally, the governor has assented to the Abia State Start-up Bill, aimed at fostering innovation, supporting tech-enabled start-ups and positioning Abia as a technology hub.

Kanu further revealed that 850 youths would graduate from the second cohort of the Abia Tech-Rise ICT training programme on December 20, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 1,399.

He added that the Abia Global Medical Mission commenced on December 15 across five centres in collaboration with Abia Diaspora Medical Personnel.

On infrastructure, Kanu said the Ministry of Works handled 54 direct labour projects, with two completed and 32 ongoing across the state’s three senatorial zones.

The Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu, described the electric bus initiative as a pilot scheme, noting that a charging station would be installed at the International Conference Centre.

He added that the buses would offer free rides during the Yuletide period.

“This is not to displace private operators but to de-risk the sector and attract investment,” Ukaegbu said.