FG Inaugurates 100 Electric Buses For Civil Servants

The federal government on Wednesday inaugurated 100 Renewed Hope Mass Transit electric buses aimed at providing safer, more affordable and reliable transportation for federal civil servants across the country.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, disclosed this during the inauguration of the buses in Abuja.

Walson-Jack described the initiative as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the welfare and well-being of civil servants.

She said 37 of the 100 electric buses had so far been delivered as the first batch of the project.

“For me, it is a dream come true. This inauguration is providentially my parting gift to my dearly beloved federal civil servants,” she said.

The outgoing HCSF, whose tenure ends on Thursday, said the project was a fitting way to conclude her service, as the buses would continue to serve and benefit federal civil servants after her departure.

She expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for supporting the initiative and other efforts aimed at transforming the Federal Civil Service.

According to Walson-Jack, transportation is more than simply moving people from one place to another, as the daily commute of workers has implications for their finances, safety, punctuality and productivity.

”An intervention that makes transportation safer, more reliable and more affordable is therefore not a peripheral welfare gesture; it is an investment in a more productive civil service,” she said.

She said the buses would help reduce the financial burden of transportation on civil servants while also addressing some of the safety challenges associated with daily commuting.

Walson-Jack added that the project reflected efforts to translate the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda into practical interventions with direct benefits for workers.

”The acquisition of the buses is made possible through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund.”

She described the intervention as further evidence of the administration’s commitment to ensuring that its policies translate into tangible benefits for Nigerians.

The HCSF also commended the Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Enoh, for supporting the initiative and participating in the symbolic handover of the buses.

She equally acknowledged the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr Joseph Osanipin, and his team for their collaboration in ensuring that the buses were developed in line with the objectives of the national automotive policy.

Walson-Jack said the welfare of civil servants remained central to efforts to reform the public service, noting that a motivated and adequately supported workforce would be better positioned to serve the country with professionalism and commitment.

She urged the beneficiaries to ensure the buses were properly maintained and protected, describing them as valuable government assets provided for their benefit.

“My dearly beloved civil servants, treat these buses as your own personal assets. They are assets that have been provided for you all,” she said.