News
Agreement Signed for Deployment of Electric Motorbikes in Lagos
Agreement Signed for Deployment of Electric Motorbikes in Lagos
By: Michael Mike
Swap Station Mobility Limited has signed partnership agreement with Glovo and Siltech World to deploy electric motorbikes, smart swappable batteries, and a network of quick interchange stations across Lagos State.
The Partnership will provide Glovo couriers with 2-wheel electric motorbikes that offer lower cost, clean mobility alternative to the internal combustion engine (ICE).
The Electric Vehicles (EVs) are provided on a lease-to-own model whilst also offering riders a unique “pay as you ride” or “weekly subscription” to access SSM’s battery swap and charging facilities, technical support and cover for insurance, licensing, and routine maintenance services. In order to increase adoption, Swap Station intends to build out a network of solar powered automated quick interchange battery stations along major demand routes and logistics bases starting in Lagos and surrounding states over the next twenty-four months.
Blackaion Capital and FundCo Capital Managers who are the co-sponsors of Swap Station Mobility, believe the operational cost of battery swapping per kilometre (km) will remain substantially lower than the fuel cost per km for the ICE counterpart. “This is the main value driver which has been catalysed by the Federal Government’s near elimination of fuel subsidies.
The products developed or distributed by Swap Station are designed to exceed the performance of petrol alternatives whilst significantly improving CO2 emissions, local air quality, and cost efficiency for users over the life of the asset,” said the Director at Swap Station and Partner at Blackaion Capital, Obiora Okoye,
Okwu Njoku who sits on the Board went on to say, “We are very excited about signing with Glovo who operate one of the most prolific food delivery platforms in Nigeria. Our EVs and swappable batteries are in-country, and Siltech World, one of our key technology and technical partners, supported us with the procurement, testing, and certification of the EVs, and so, we are now ready to start operations. We plan to spend the next few months securing additional swap locations, building our technology platform, and expanding our team.”
Abiodun Oni, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FundCo Capital Managers, and former Regional Sales Director, Energy, for Tesla, stated, “e-mobility is critical to our sustainable infrastructure investment strategy, and this agreement with our partners enables us to kick start that process”.
On his part, Head of Operations at Glovo, Ify Adah stated, “ By 2030, our goal is to have about half of our orders delivered by non-combustion vehicles. So, we are very excited and look forward to working with Swap Station, and supporting our couriers with cleaner and more cost-effective transport solutions.”
Swap Station is an integrated EV financing and battery charging infrastructure development company that has built a business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) platform that provides access to electric 2-wheel and 3-wheel vehicles, swap station infrastructure, swappable batteries, and a hub for repairs and maintenance services to fleet owners, businesses, and users operating in the logistics and last mile connectivity in Nigeria.
Blackaion Capital is a West Africa focused infrastructure advisor, developer, and asset manager with offices in Lagos, Abuja, and Mauritius. Blackaion’s mission is to create exceptional long-term value for all stakeholders by developing and capitalising tech-enabled and climate-friendly infrastructure projects and companies.
FundCo is a specialised Alternative Asset Manager for sustainable infrastructure-related funds across critical economic sectors. These are selected industries providing essential services to the society, with domestic geographic diversity, have secure cash flows, are recession resilient, and ideally, offer some inflation protection. FundCo is duly registered with and licensed by Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a portfolio/fund manager in line with the SEC rules.
Agreement Signed for Deployment of Electric Motorbikes in Lagos
Military arrest policemen on VIP escort duty in violation of President Tinubu’s directive
By: Zagazola Makama
The military has arrested four police officers for allegedly providing unauthorised escort services to a VIP in contravention of the presidential directive on the withdrawal of policemen from VIP protection duties.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the arrest occurred on Dec. 17 at about 9:30 a.m., while the officers were reportedly on escort duty.
Those arrested were identified as ASP Musa Waziri and Insp. Jeremiah Achimogu both attached to 45 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Abuja; Insp. Awipi Terry of 21 PMF; and Insp. Hassan Baba of 50 PMF, Abuja.
According to security sources, the officers were arrested by military personnel after allegedly flouting the presidential order withdrawing police personnel from VIP escort duties.
The sources further disclosed that the policemen were dressed in uniforms similar to that of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), allegedly in an attempt to evade detection and deceive enforcement personnel.
The arrested officers have since been detained, while disciplinary procedures have been initiated against them in line with extant regulations.
The Federal Government had earlier directed the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from unauthorised VIP protection duties to redeploy manpower to core policing and internal security operations across the country.
Military arrest policemen on VIP escort duty in violation of President Tinubu’s directive
Bandits attack NSCDC outpost in Niger, cart away rifle
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits, suspected to be insurgents, have attacked a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) nipping point at Ibrahim Leteh Village along the Wawa–Luma Road in Niger State.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the attack occurred on Dec. 22 at about 4:30 a.m., when a large number of the assailants stormed the outpost and opened fire.
Security sources said two NSCDC personnel on duty took cover during the attack, while the bandits riddled the patrol vehicle and the mini office at the location with bullets.
The sources added that one G3 rifle, officially assigned to an NSCDC personnel, was carted away by the attackers during the incident.
No casualty was recorded in the attack.
The scene was later visited by security operatives, and photographs were taken for investigation and documentation.
Efforts are currently ongoing to recover the stolen rifle and apprehend the suspects, while security presence in the area has been reinforced.
Bandits attack NSCDC outpost in Niger, cart away rifle
Nine feared dead in multiple-vehicle accident along Yola road in Gombe
By: Zagazola Makama
No fewer than nine persons have been confirmed dead following a fatal motor vehicle accident along the Yola Road in Kaltungo Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Zagazola gathered that the accident occurred on Dec. 22 at about 7:00 a.m. near Kaluwa Village and involved a DAF truck and a Sharon commercial vehicle, both travelling in the same direction.
Sources said the DAF truck, with registration number BLG 551 XA, driven by Umar Abubakar, 41, from Potiskum, Yobe State, reportedly rammed into the Sharon vehicle, with registration number GME 19 XC, driven by Garba Sule, 60.
As a result of the impact, the driver of the truck lost control, causing the vehicle to somersault and fall by the roadside.
Victims of the accident were rushed to the General Hospital in Kaltungo, where nine unidentified persons were confirmed dead on arrival.
The sources also said two other unidentified persons were trapped inside the DAF truck, while efforts were ongoing to evacuate them.
Nine feared dead in multiple-vehicle accident along Yola road in Gombe
Military arrest policemen on VIP escort duty in violation of President Tinubu’s directive
Bandits attack NSCDC outpost in Niger, cart away rifle
Nine feared dead in multiple-vehicle accident along Yola road in Gombe
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