By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has unveiled 36 electric vehicles for Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service, flagging off a broader electric mobility programme aimed at reducing transportation costs and promoting clean energy.
The presentation ceremony, held in Calabar as part of activities marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, also signalled the commencement of a larger initiative involving 100 electric vehicles and 100 electric tricycles for public transportation and empowerment purposes.
Speaking at the event, Otu said the initiative was designed to strengthen the public service, improve governance efficiency and ease the transportation burden on senior civil servants.
According to him, one of the key priorities of his administration is to build integrity in the public service by motivating officials and creating an environment that enables them to perform at their highest capacity.
The governor described Permanent Secretaries as some of the most competent professionals in the country, stressing that a strong bureaucracy remains the foundation of effective governance.
Otu explained that the state’s decision to embrace electric mobility followed a careful assessment of rising transportation costs and the need to shield citizens from the impact of fluctuations in the petroleum sector.
He disclosed that the government initially considered Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles before settling for electric vehicles as a more sustainable and cost-effective option.
Highlighting the benefits of the scheme, the governor said electric vehicles would enable users to save substantially on fuel and maintenance costs, noting that beneficiaries could reduce transportation expenses by more than 75 per cent.
He revealed that the 36 vehicles handed over to Permanent Secretaries represent the first phase of a larger programme and expressed optimism that electric mobility would eventually become accessible to a wider segment of the population.
Otu also announced plans to establish charging stations and related infrastructure across the state to support the growing adoption of electric vehicles by both government officials and members of the public.
The governor commended the Cross River State House of Assembly for supporting his administration’s development programmes through legislative backing and budget approvals, saying the cooperation between the executive and legislature had contributed significantly to the state’s progress.
Earlier, the Head of Service, Barrister Orok Okon, described the presentation of the vehicles as a historic milestone and a major morale booster for the state civil service.
He noted that Permanent Secretaries had not enjoyed such a benefit in more than a decade and praised Governor Otu for making them the first beneficiaries of electric automobile technology in the state public service.
Okon assured the governor that the gesture would be rewarded with greater dedication, commitment and improved service delivery by the beneficiaries.
