As An Oil Oroducing Nation, We Should Frustrate Sale Of Electric Cars In Nigeria – Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu

As An Oil Oroducing Nation, We Should Frustrate Sale Of Electric Cars In Nigeria – Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has said that, as an oil
producing country, sale of electric cars in Nigeria should be
frustrated, “this will enable us to sell our oil,” he argued.  

Ekweremadu spoke at the Plenary today as the senators debated a bill
sponsored by Senator Ben Murray-Bruce (PDP Bayelsa East ). Ben
Murray-Bruce had sponsored a bill for an Act to phase out petrol
vehicles by 2035 and introduce electric cars.

In his argument, the senator had argued that electric cars are healthy, economical and would not deplete the ozone layer.

 “In no distant time, combustible vehicles would be phased out; and
the earlier Nigeria buys into the change, the better. I own an electric
car that I have been using for the past five years. It is cheaper to
maintain and durable,” the senator added.

The bill ignited debates in the hallowed chamber, as each senator
aired reasons for the rejection of the bill. In his submission, Deputy
Senate President Ike Ekweremadu commended Murray-Bruce for his “uncommon
common sense and brilliant ideas,” but noted that the ancillary to
Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution grants Nigerians freedom of
movement; and that there is no need to introduce a law to mandate the
use of electric cars.  

Ekweremadu added, “besides, in economic sense, we are an oil
producing country. So, we should do everything possible to frustrate the
sale of electric cars in Nigeria to enable us to sell our oil.”

Senator Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano) said while electric vehicles no doubt
would be more friendly to the environment and health, making its use
mandatory was not feasible. “We have to look at individual networth. Not
all Nigerians can afford the vehicles at a given time.  “We all know
the importance of vehicles in our daily activities. So, banning use of
fuel cars will cause hardship, particularly for those who may not be
able to acquire electric cars.  

Murray-Bruce withdrew the bill ultimately.