The Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC) has officially launched electric powered cars for taxies in Benue state.

Tagged the Green Wheels Taxi project, the event took place at the Head office of the BIPC in Makurdi on Monday.

The Managing Director of BIPC, Dr Raymond Asemakaha said that the initiative is designed not only to generate employment but also to reduce insecurity and the high cost of transportation across major towns in Benue State.

“The commissioning of this electric car is a testament to our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and promoting eco-friendly transportation.

“Electric vehicles are the future of mobility, and I’m thrilled to see this innovative technology being adopted in our community. This car represents a significant step towards reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, decreasing air pollution, and mitigating the impacts of climate change, “he stated.

The lead partner of the project, Mr. Esse Oke of ESSE Mobility Group, lauded the Benue State Government for embracing their vision. He revealed that the Green Wheels Taxi project features the first set of electric/solar-powered taxis in Africa, with an initial 500 units across the major Benue towns of Makurdi, Gboko, and Otukpo.

The cars, The Guardian gathered, are zero-emission and eco-friendly. They are equipped with a control system and geofencing technology that can trace the location of the car. It also has anin-built CCTV to track movement and ensure security of passengers.