The Federal Government has inaugurated a solar powered electric vehicles charging station in University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) to reduce the use of fossil fuel vehicles that pollute the environment and contributes to global warming.
Speaking in Nsukka on Friday during the inauguration, Mr. Jelani Aliyu, the Director General National Automative Design and Development Council (NADDC) said that, the council was committed to technological advancement in Nigerian automotive industry
“Global warming and climate are detrimental to human health and pollutes our environment, many countries are moving away from fossil fuels vehicles to electric vehicles because of its adverse effects.
“This informs the reason why NADDC an Agency in Federal Ministry of Industry,Trade and Investment is sponsored by government to build electric vehicle charging stations powdered by solar across the country.
“The air is to ensure zero per cent carbon emission in our environment as well as reduce health problems associated with it,”he said.
NAN reports that, Aliyu who was respresented by Mr Olarawaju Omusanya, the Director of Infrastructures in NADDC explained that, Usman danfodo University Sokoto, University of Lagos and University of Nigeria Nsukka were three universities selected for the pilot project of solar powered charging electric vehicle stations.
“The Usman danfodo University Sokoto and University of Lagos were inaugurated in 2021 and today August 17, 2023 we are inaugurating University of Nigeria Nsukka own.
“NADDC encourages universities in the country to utilise this opportunity by stimulating further research and development of this project,”he said.
The DG said that, the council would continue to promote advance technology transfer and development of domesticated human capital.
“It’s expected that the solar powered charging station will offer staff and students first hand experience in mobility and power renewable technology.
“Electric vehicle fully charged in this station will travel 480 kilometres before it will stop. Globally there is ongoing transition from petrol, desiel vehicles to electric vehicles,”he said.
He commended Prof Charles Igwe the Vice-Chancellor of UNN and the management for their maximum cooperation to see that the project was completed and inaugurated.
In a remark Igwe expressed appreciation to NADDC for choosing UNN as one of the pilot universities in the country for the project.
He said that, UNN would continue to do it’s best as the premier university in the country.
The VC urged UNN faculty of engineering to ensure that many of the vehicles in the university were converted to electric vehicles now there’s charging station in UNN.
“Now there’s solar powered charging electric vehicles station, our engineers in the university should take the advantage to convert our vehicles to electric, to reduce cost of buying petrol and desiel for them.
“UNN is grateful to government for choosing UNN as one of the pilot universities in this landmark project ,”Igwe said.
Also in a remark, Prof Ozomena Ani, the UNN Coordinator of the project commended the UNN-VC for approving the project as well as allowing him to coordinate the project in the university.
Ani who an engineer and lecturer in Faculty of Engineering UNN said that, his research team would ensure the maintainence of the project.
Earlier, Prof Emenike Ejiogu, the Dean Faculty of Engineering UNN who was represented by Associate Prof. Sunday Ezeoha said that, the faculty would continue to provide the required manpower in engineering.
“The faculty is happy that NADDS solar power charging electric station is located in our faculty, the faculty will ensure that university community and outsiders reap benefits of the project,’ Ejiogu said.
Comment here