PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WHERE PROGRESS BREATHES CLEAN: ABIA’S JOURNEY TOWARDS GREEN MOBILITY
CEHRAWS Commends Governor Alex Otti for Electric Bus Initiative, Urges Rights-Based, Transparent and Inclusive Implementation
22 December 2025 | Aba, Abia State
The Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) unequivocally commends His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, Executive Governor of Abia State, for the official launch and commissioning, today 22 December 2025, of electric buses for mass transit under the Abia Green Shuttle initiative, an intervention that signals a decisive shift from rhetoric to responsible governance, from carbon-heavy mobility to people-centred, climate-conscious transport policy. This bold step positions Abia State at the forefront of sustainable urban mobility in Nigeria and affirms the inextricable link between environmental protection, social justice, and the constitutional duty of government to safeguard the welfare of the people.
The introduction of electric buses into Abia’s public transport system represents a forward-looking response to the intertwined challenges of urban congestion, air pollution, climate change, and rising transportation costs. As zero-emission vehicles, these buses reduce environmental degradation, promote cleaner air, and contribute meaningfully to healthier cities, particularly for vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by pollution. Importantly, CEHRAWS notes that the electric buses commissioned are designed to be Persons-With-Disability (PWD) compliant, reflecting an inclusive approach to public transportation and respect for the dignity of all commuters.
> “The commissioning of electric buses in Abia State is a commendable affirmation that development can be people-centred, climate-conscious, and rights-driven. When public policy reduces pollution, improves mobility, and protects human dignity, it aligns squarely with the constitutional duty of government to promote the welfare of the people.”
CEHRAWS notes that sustainable public transportation is not merely a technological upgrade but a governance obligation with clear human rights implications. Under Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the security and welfare of the people constitute the primary purpose of government. Access to safe, affordable, accessible, and environmentally sustainable transportation is central to that constitutional mandate, as it enables citizens, including persons with disabilities, to access work, education, healthcare, and civic life with dignity.
This initiative also aligns with Nigeria’s commitments under international development and environmental frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). Furthermore, Article 24 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, domesticated in Nigeria, guarantees the right of all peoples to a general satisfactory environment favourable to their development, while principles of non-discrimination and inclusion remain central to contemporary human rights law.
By commissioning these electric and PWD-compliant buses, the Abia State Government has taken a commendable step toward integrating climate responsibility with social policy. CEHRAWS views this initiative as an important model capable of delivering multiple public benefits, including reduced emissions, lower operating costs over time, improved commuter experience, enhanced urban livability, and greater social inclusion.
However, the sustainability and legitimacy of this intervention will ultimately depend on how it is implemented, regulated, and monitored.
In keeping with its mandate as a civil rights and accountability organisation, CEHRAWS respectfully urges the Abia State Government to:
1. Ensure transparency by publicly disclosing operational frameworks, routes, fare structures, and performance indicators for the electric bus scheme, in line with the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
2. Guarantee accessibility and inclusion, particularly for persons with disabilities, the elderly, women, and low-income commuters, consistent with equality and non-discrimination principles under Nigerian law and international human rights standards.
3. Maintain affordability, so that the transition to green mobility does not exclude those who rely most on public transportation.
4. Institutionalise environmental accountability, including periodic reporting on emissions reduction and environmental impact outcomes.
5. Enable citizen participation by creating channels for public feedback, civil society engagement, and independent oversight of service delivery.
CONCLUSION
Abia’s transition toward electric mass transit is a promising declaration that development can move forward without leaving pollution, exclusion, and environmental harm in its wake. It demonstrates that governance can be both progressive and responsible, and that infrastructure can serve not only the present, but generations yet unborn.
CEHRAWS applauds Governor Alex Otti for this visionary step and reiterates its readiness to engage constructively with the Abia State Government to ensure that this green mobility initiative evolves into a durable, inclusive, and rights-based public good.
When progress breathes clean, justice moves with it.
Signed:
Okoye, Chuka Peter
Executive Director cehraws@gmail.com |+234(0)808-035-1242 (WhatsApp only)
Facebook: @cehraws
