The Upper East Regional Minister Stephen Yakubu who was ably represented by the Upper East Chief Director of the Regional Coordinating Council Alhaji Abubakari Inusah has commended the Ministries of Transport and Energy for the collaboration and dedicated service exhibited in a successful stakeholder consultation on electric Vehicle policy and Implementation framework Organized in the region.
The Regional Minister described the stakeholder consultation programme on Electric vehicles (EV) as the first of its kind in the region.
He further commends the Ministry of Transport for the initiative to solicit stakeholder inputs to help enrich the draft Electric Vehicle policy to guide the deployment and upscale of electric vehicles in the country.
According to Minister Yakubu, the policy has become necessary following high emissions of greenhouse gases and the need to regulate them in line with global commitments to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13. “It would build the resilience of our communities to mitigating the effects of the changing climate on our environment and livelihoods”. He said
He believes as a government, issues of sustainability have been high on their radar, hence the need for transition from the usage of fossil fuels to other alternative forms of sustainable energy.
“This Electric Vehicle policy is therefore very crucial and could not have come at a better time than now, when global fuel prices are high rocketing and countries the world over are spending scarce foreign exchange to import fuel for domestic and vehicular usage”.
“This policy when finalize and implemented would significantly mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce vehicular emissions which have largely accounted for the poor air quality, thereby posing a grave threat to human life and existence”
However, on behalf of the Upper East Regional Minister Stephen Yakubu, the RCC Chief Director Mr. Abubakari also urged the Ministry of Energy to consider taking advantage of the region’s solar energy potentials to construct new solar-driven facilities and expanding existing ones to augment our hydro-energy sources.
“It is also heartwarming to note that the Pawlugu Muti-Purpose Dam and irrigation would bring on board 5Kw of hydropower to augment the national grid when completed”.
He said, these are indications that the country is endowed with natural energy sources capable of making less use of fossil fuel.
“There is no doubt this policy would help reduce noise and emission levels which have been a major source of health hazards to our people.
I wish to assure the Minister of Transport of the Region’s utmost commitment to this policy document. Hence, the support and cooperation of all stakeholders gathered here to ensure coherence and effective implementation of this policy in the region. He concluded
Meanwhile, stakeholders present at the Electric Vehicle consultation forum include MMDAs, CSOs, NGOs, Officials of DVLA, Road safety, Fire service, Police, and many more.
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