The Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) has started receiving electric and solar cars to launch a modern taxi service in Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo.
The cars are part of the gains of the visit His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State, and the Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha-CFA, to the People’s Republic of China in October last year.
This initiative aims to provide efficient and cost-effective transportation, create jobs for local youth, and offer citizens better value for their money by reducing Emissions Zero tailpipe emissions, contributing to a cleaner environment.
The Group Managing Director, while receiving the cars, said the cars will reduce costs and allow citizens of the state to have value for their money, create jobs for the teeming youths of the state and make taxi services efficient in Makurdi.
Asemakaha noted that although the company is targeting 100 of the cars, it has taken delivery of 20, stressing that by the end of the month, the company will begin taxi services within the cities.
He lamented the ever-increasing transportation cost in Makurdi city, noting that the initiative is part of Gov. Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s deliberate efforts to crash prices of transportation just as it’s doing with bread and water in the state.
The GMD further averred that already a mobile app is being developed to allow commuters to book online and ensure seamless services 24 hours.
“The cars are zero-emission cars and are eco friendly, has a control system and a geofencing technology that can show the location and an in-built CCTV to track movement, monitor and ensure security of passengers.
“We’re also going to have an assembling and charging plant at our BIPC mergemax (CNG/Petrol Station) beside the head office. All the parts are going to be there for regular and routine maintenance, and a single charge is going to cover 500 kilometres,” the GMD explained.
The BIPC Green Wheels initiative marks a vital step forward in promoting sustainable transport solutions for improving the quality of life for Benue residents and foester inclusive governance policy
