BUJUMBURA October 30th (ABP) – The Minister of Trade, Transport, Industry and Tourism, Mrs. Marie Chantal Nijimbere, opened Thursday, October 26, 2023, in Bujumbura, the stakeholder awareness activities organized in the framework of preparation of support for the electricity transition in Burundi.
On that occasion, Mrs. Nijimbere announced that the project to support the electricity transition in Burundi was initiated by the government of Burundi with the support of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), through the initiative German international in the central and northern regions, respectively in Gitega on August 25, 2023 and in Ngozi on September 15, 2023.
To achieve a sustainable transport sector, the combination measure must be implemented worldwide with better designed cities, safe and comfortable facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, more public transport and fleets cleaner and more efficient road solutions, including electric vehicles, she said.
Mrs. Nijimbere noted that over the past 20 years, electric vehicles have undergone significant technological developments that have not only reduced their costs but also reduced their environmental footprint and increased their utility. She added that the transition to zero carbon transport is necessary to implement the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the vision of Burundi emerging in 2040 and developed in 2060 of the President of the Republic of Burundi.
Mrs. Nijimbere noted that while the electricity and transport sectors are experiencing significant progress in Burundi, the transition to electric mobility offers endless possibilities: two- or three-wheeled motorcycles, cars, buses and trains could now operate non-stop. no longer gasoline or diesel but electricity.
That will avoid the emission of billions of tons of greenhouse gases, as well as millions of deaths or pathological complications due to air pollution and will also avoid long queues in front of service stations.
The minister in charge of transport launched an appeal to everyone in that sector to make their contribution to the implementation of that project which will limit global warming to 1.5 degrees by the end of the century.
Note that opting for an electric vehicle is economical, less polluting in use to improve health thanks to the absence of CO2 emissions.