Cleaner transport: NEDC launches 1,000 Electric vehicles and health plan in Adamawa

Residents of Adamawa State may soon ride cleaner, cheaper transport as the North East Development Commission (NEDC) announced plans to deliver 1,000 electric vehicles, including buses and tricycles.

Officials say the move could cut transport costs, reduce reliance on petrol and engine oil, and boost local jobs through training programs. “These vehicles will be charged electronically and require no engine oil or petroleum,” said Khalifa Mohammed, the NEDC coordinator in Adamawa, at a stakeholders’ meeting in Yola on Wednesday.

Nigeria’s North-East, often hit by conflict and poverty, faces some of the country’s highest fuel costs. By offering electric transport, the NEDC hopes to ease pressure on households already struggling with rising energy prices. The agency also plans training for vehicle assembly and charging procedures.

Beyond transport, the NEDC said it would launch a health insurance scheme for vulnerable people. The pilot will begin in three local government areas, one in each senatorial district. “This will allow disadvantaged citizens to access medical care and drugs,” Mohammed said.

The commission has also built solar-powered boreholes, installed solar streetlights to improve security, and rolled out skills training programs in health, education, agriculture, and security. It urged communities to take ownership of these projects to ensure sustainability.

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s spokesman, Humwashi Wonosikou, praised the partnership, saying, “With this collaboration, the story of NEDC in Adamawa will change. We urge the commission to do even more for our people.”

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