By John Alechenu

ABUJA — The rollout of the Electric Motor Vehicles (EMVs) under the Kogi Central Constituency Development Programme championed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has resumed, with 100 beneficiaries commencing training following regulatory approval by relevant government agencies.

The resumption comes after the completion of key regulatory and structural requirements, which had earlier necessitated a temporary suspension of the programme.

Speaking over the weekend, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan explained that the implementation was deliberately paused, as earlier announced during a town hall meeting in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area, to ensure full compliance with regulatory standards and to safeguard public trust.

“We intentionally paused the rollout to get the structure right. Empowerment must be transparent, accountable and sustainable. Public trust is not negotiable.

“This programme is not just about distributing vehicles; it is about building capacity and systems that will last,” she said.

The lawmaker disclosed that the suspension period was used to formally register the EMV management company with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), a move aimed at ensuring transparent and responsible oversight of the initiative.

She added that electricians and technicians had also undergone comprehensive training to guarantee effective maintenance and long-term functionality of the vehicles.

According to her, the CAC registration process has now been successfully completed, while vehicle registrations are progressing steadily.

She noted that upon the conclusion of the final registration processes, the locally assembled electric vehicles would be deployed immediately, allowing beneficiaries—particularly women and youths—to commence commercial operations as originally planned.

“Our goal is to empower our people with dignity by creating sustainable livelihoods, lowering transportation costs and preparing Kogi Central for a cleaner, greener future,” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said.

She described the EMV initiative as a landmark programme that aligns economic empowerment with environmental responsibility through the adoption of clean and renewable energy solutions.

To ensure long-term sustainability and effective management, the senator also revealed that a newly registered Trust Fund has been established to oversee the EMV programme, alongside other key constituency assets, including the SNAU Foundation Maternity Centre and the modern markets in Okene and Ihima.

“Structure ensures sustainability, and accountability guarantees equitable benefits for all. That is the foundation of every intervention we implement,” she reiterated.

In a related development, the Office of the Kogi Central Senatorial District announced the commencement of applications for the Electric Motor Vehicle Technical Training Programme under the Operate & Own Model (OOM).

The programme is designed to train 100 eligible indigenes and residents of Kogi Central in the operation and maintenance of electric and solar-powered tricycles, with successful participants gaining hands-on skills and the opportunity to own and operate the eco-friendly vehicles for sustainable income generation.

“This is empowerment with purpose—creating jobs, promoting innovation and giving our people the tools to thrive,” the senator said.

Interested applicants have been advised to follow the application guidelines as outlined in the officially released information materials.