Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has launched a N1 billion empowerment programme alongside the distribution of 500 electric tricycles to commercial riders in Maiduguri and Jere, in a move aimed at easing economic hardship and modernizing urban transport.
The initiative, unveiled on Thursday at the Government House, Maiduguri, targets about 1,000 beneficiaries drawn from commercial tricycle operators across the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere.
The eco-friendly tricycles were earlier inaugurated on December 20, 2025, by President Bola Tinubu as part of broader efforts to promote sustainable transportation in the state.
Speaking at the launch, Gov. Zulum said the programme is designed to empower less-privileged riders while reducing transportation costs for residents.
He described the rollout of electric tricycles as a significant step toward improving livelihoods and encouraging environmental sustainability.
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“I am privileged to launch this empowerment programme for about 1,000 beneficiaries among tricycle riders in Maiduguri and Jere today, to the glory of God and for the benefit of humanity,” the governor said.
He explained that the state government would subsidize 30 percent of the cost of each tricycle to ensure affordability, with a designated committee overseeing the payment structure.
Beneficiaries, he added, are expected to comply with operational guidelines to guarantee accountability and the long-term success of the initiative.
In addition to the vehicle distribution, the governor approved financial assistance for thousands of transport workers.
According to him, 16,783 registered commercial tricycle riders drawn from 25 associations will each receive N50,000, as part of a N1 billion intervention package aimed at cushioning the impact of economic hardship.
“We have approved a financial intervention amounting to N1 billion to support transportation workers and cushion the impact of hardship on their livelihood,” Zulum stated.
Chairman of the Borno State Empowerment Committee, Saina Buba, said each electric tricycle can travel up to 65 kilometers on a single charge.
He added that beneficiaries were selected transparently through their respective associations, without external influence.
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