- While in Maiduguri for the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference, President Tinubu took the opportunity to commission Zulum’s vehicles
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inaugurated 107 gas and electric-powered buses and taxis in Maiduguri, Borno State, marking the second phase of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s metro transport initiative. The launch aims to alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy withdrawal.
Held near the Shehu of Borno’s Palace, the ceremony featured President Tinubu, who, accompanied by Governor Zulum, paid homage to the Shehu, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-kanemi.
While in Maiduguri for the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference, President Tinubu took the opportunity to commission Zulum’s vehicles.
Governor Zulum explained, “Mr President, after you announced the subsidy removal and your directive to governors for immediate palliative measures, we decided to invest massively in a mass transit scheme in Borno State.”
Each of the 107 vehicles underwent conversion to utilize electricity and gas, enabling the use of low-cost energy sources for affordable transportation. This initiative particularly benefits citizens recovering from the destruction caused by the decade-long Boko Haram insurgency.
The new fleet includes 35 units of 30-seater gas-powered coaster buses, 12 units of 15-seater gas-powered Hummer buses, 10 units of 50-seater gas-powered mass transit buses, and 50 units of 4-seater electric-powered taxi vehicles.
Earlier this year, Borno State procured 120 buses, with Governor Zulum launching a fleet of 77 buses in September, serving over 15 routes within the metropolis and Jere Local Government.
Governor Zulum’s transport scheme immediately contributed to lowering transportation costs across Maiduguri. While private transport means like Keke Napep charges approximately N150 per route, Zulum’s buses charge N50.
President Tinubu commended Zulum for delivering good governance, stating, “Your Excellency (Governor Zulum)… this is exactly ‘Hope Renewed’. Thank you for your good job always. Thank you once again for being innovative and creative; and for your concern about your people and the good governance you provide. We are going to take advantage of your foresight and proactiveness to the sub-national level be able to start assembly plants add more value to the economy and bring economic prosperity to our people. You (Zulum) are doing a good job; thank you very much.”