The Federal Government has launched 100 electric mass transit buses for federal civil servants as part of efforts to ease transportation challenges, improve workers’ welfare and boost productivity.
The buses were commissioned on Wednesday at Eagle Square, Abuja, with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Didi Esther Walson-Jack, describing the initiative as a major milestone in the government’s efforts to improve the welfare of civil servants.
The first phase of the programme involves 37 of the 100 electric buses approved under the Renewed Hope Mass Transit Programme.
Walson-Jack described the commissioning as her “parting gift” to federal civil servants, coming less than 24 hours before the end of her tenure as Head of the Civil Service.
According to the HoCSF, the intervention will help civil servants save money on transportation, reduce commuting risks and arrive at work with more energy to deliver quality public services.
She said the buses were acquired through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, describing the project as evidence of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to translating government policies into practical benefits for workers.
Walson-Jack also highlighted other government interventions aimed at improving workers’ welfare.
These include the upward review of the national minimum wage, wage awards following the removal of petrol subsidy, digitalisation of government services, improved pensions, promotions, employee compensation and health insurance for workers.
The HoCSF said the electric buses would initially operate on selected routes as part of a pilot phase before a full rollout.
She added that the buses would eventually be deployed to Federal Secretariats across the states.
Walson-Jack urged the authorities responsible for managing the buses to ensure proper maintenance, transparent route allocation, adequate safety measures and effective monitoring.
She said these measures would be critical to ensuring the sustainability and success of the mass transit programme.
