Akwa Ibom son designs solar powered tricycle as his final year project

A final year student of the Federal University of Technology (FUTO), Owerri, Ekomobong Finbarr has successfully developed a solar powered tricycle.

Finbarr, who hails from Etinan Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State developed the tricycle as his defence project in partial fulfillment for the award of a degree in Electrical Engineering in the college. 

Speaking to journalists on his project, the young inventor said he was inspired by the need to reduce noise and air pollution in the nation’s cities and to diversify the economy from dependence on oil.

“We decided with our team to do something very creative and out of the box.  Keke is a common mean of transportation but it also hazardous to health. Keke is becoming worse than motorcycles in terms of noise and pollution. We decided to look at clean energy and other alternative sources of power.  Solar and batteries came to mind. We thought that can help.  I think if more is invested in this regard,  we can achieve much”

“It is actually very costly to get the solar panels and all that.  But on the long run,  it is cheaper and more cost effective. All you need is sunshine and maybe two batteries to substitute when one is down.

“I have more creative ideas but with lean resources to get materials,  it is difficult to go about them.  We pray God for support and sponsors too”

“We thank our lecturers especially our Head of department for the support and encouragement.  That is exactly how it should be” He added