Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL) has made an inroad into the transportation business in Lagos State, acquiring and taking delivery of undisclosed number of electric vehicles from Chinese carmaker, Yutong Bus.
OCEL had April 28, 2022 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lagos State Government through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
The MoU will also bridge the gap in the current mass transit bus system for the increasing number of Lagos commuters and make up a significant part of the state government’s larger drive to improve mass transit infrastructure.
The Oando, Lagos State agreement will see Oando Clean Energy roll out 12,000 electric mass transit buses, supporting charging infrastructure, and service centres (EV Infrastructure Ecosystem).
The introduction of the electric mass transit in the state would lead to the phase-out of current combustion mass transit buses in the state.
Commenting on the acquisition and deal between the state and his firm, Wale Tinubu, who is the Chairman of OCEL, in a statement on Thursday described the latest development in the state as a stepping stone over which the country’s transport system would break new ground and consistently looking for opportunities to leapfrog.
He said, “The arrival of our electric mass transit buses and development of an EV infrastructure ecosystem is a reminder that the only way to remain ahead of the curve is by being unafraid to break new ground and consistently looking for opportunities to leapfrog.
“Furthermore, this project underscores the African saying, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.’ Public-Private Partnerships have been critical to getting the project to this point and will continue to fuel our expansion across Nigeria.”
He commended the collaborative efforts of the Lagos State government led by Babajide Sanwo-Olu for moving far ahead of other states in the country.
He added that, other states and organisations would emulate such initiative for a sustainable transportation in their respective domains.
“I must commend the collaborative efforts of @followlasg through LAMATA in seeing this project through.
“The commencement of this project gives us a platform to showcase to other States what is possible and open the door for engagements on bespoke solutions to suit their local needs as well as act as a model to be adopted by other organizations looking to venture into sustainable transportation.”