The Kaduna State Government has distributed 7,000 motorcycles to civil servants, of which 4,000 are electric bikes, to boost workers’ morale and ease the transportation burden across the state.

Governor Uba Sani, who flagged the distribution, said that the initiative is the first of its kind in Nigeria and promised that ”we shall continue to create and innovate to better the conditions of our citizens.”

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, he said that the government recognises that transportation costs can be a significant burden for civil servants.

“‘It is our hope that these motorcycles will help alleviate that burden, allowing you to come to work early and focus on the tasks at hand,” Sani said.

Sani said that funds recovered from the loan repayments will be reserved for the continuous purchase of motorcycles for all workers in the Kaduna State civil service.

According to Sani, charging points will be established in strategic locations across the three geopolitical zones.
He noted that “the Civil Service is the engine of Government. Civil servants play a critical role in shaping governance and facilitating the efficient delivery of essential services.

“Our administration recognizes that massive rural and urban transformations, as well as, economic revitalization only possible if
driven by a dedicated, skilled, and well-motivated workforce.

”This is why we have intensified improvement of the working conditions of civil servants across Kaduna State. We are also implementing structural improvements in the environments where civil servants operate.”

The governor stressed that ”our civil servants deserve commendation for their contributions to the achievements so far recorded by our administration. Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to the development of our state have not gone unnoticed.

”It is your tireless efforts that have inspired our administration to provide these motorcycles as a token of appreciation for your service,” he said.

The scheme is a collaboration between the Kaduna State Government, Nigerian Labour Congress, Paynacle Digital Services Limited, which will provide charging stations, and Optimus Bank.

Also, speaking at the occasion, the Kaduna State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Magaji, commended Sani “for guaranteeing the financial cover necessary to make this initiative a reality.

”By ensuring that these motorcycles are accessible to qualified civil servants as salary-deductible loans, Your Excellency has once
again demonstrated a deep commitment to the welfare of workers.”

Meanwhile, the Acting State Secretary of NURTW, Comrade Hassan Ibrahim, also disclosed that the union has purchased 1,000 electric tricycles for its members at N7.5 million each, payable for two years.

Comrade Ibrahim pleaded with the Kaduna government to contribute its quota for the initiative to be sustained.