… Plans electric bus rollout in green transport push
YENAGOA, BAYELSA – The Edo State Government has called for sweeping amendments to Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, including the establishment of state police, judicial independence, electoral reforms, and the protection of existing state boundaries.
Presenting the state’s position at the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review’s public hearing in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Samson Osagie, said that state police was critical to addressing the worsening security situation across the country.
“The centralised policing system is no longer adequate. State police will provide an additional layer of security and help address local challenges more effectively,” he said.
Osagie also called for constitutional safeguards to guarantee judicial independence, stressing that the judiciary must be free from political and financial interference to ensure justice and uphold democracy.
He stated that the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo remains committed to reforms that would improve governance and deepen democracy.
Other proposals submitted by the Edo State Government include electoral reforms to ensure credible elections, inclusive governance to promote fairness and equity, and fiscal federalism to enable states to control more of their resources.
The government, however, rejected any move to create new states from existing ones, particularly any proposal involving the excision of land from Edo State.
Osagie said that such attempts threatened the state’s historical identity and ancestral heritage.
“The preservation of Edo’s boundaries is non-negotiable,” he said.
Edo’s submission is expected to influence the next phase of the review process, as lawmakers prepare to amend sections of the constitution ahead of future general elections.
Also, the Edo State Government is considering the introduction of an electric bus transit system in a major step towards cleaner, safer, and more efficient public transport.
Discussions are underway with Oando Clean Energy Limited for a potential partnership, following a visit by a government delegation to the company’s Lagos headquarters to inspect its electric vehicle operations.
The visit was led by Kizito Okpebholo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Finance, Investments and Revenue Generation, and Amen Odigie, Managing Director of the Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO).
The team observed the electric bus fleet and charging infrastructure currently in use in Lagos.
“We saw the buses and their charging systems and engaged Oando on what a similar project would require in Edo,” said Kizito Okpebholo. “We’ll consult our transport agencies and stakeholders to determine feasibility.”
The proposed project is expected to be executed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with Oando potentially handling the technical aspects and the state providing policy and operational support.
Odigie described the initiative as part of the state’s broader strategy to attract investment, drive innovation and reduce emissions. “We are positioning Edo as a logistics and transport hub. Clean energy transport is part of that vision,” he said.
The electric transport plan aligns with Governor Monday Okpebholo’s sustainability agenda..
By integrating electric buses into the Edo City Transport Service (ECTS), the state hopes to reduce its carbon footprint, lower operating costs, and improve mobility for residents.
Stakeholder consultations are ongoing, and a framework for implementation is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.
