Nasarawa State government has commenced a training programme for 50 auto-technicians on conversion of petroleum vehicles to Liquefied Natural Gas and Compressed Natural Gas.
Director General of the Nasarawa State Human Capital Development Agency, Habiba Balarabe-Suleiman, who disclosed this to journalists in Lafia, said the training will take place at the Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) Limited in Kaduna State.
She said the initiative is aimed at promoting sustainable energy alternatives that not only reduce fuel costs for the citizens but also contribute to environmental conservation.
According to her, the beneficiaries, who are members of the Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association, were carefully selected from across the state to participate in the 5-day workshop.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu, in August 2023, approved the establishment of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, PCNGI, to ease the impact of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians by reducing energy costs.
The transformative initiative aimed to revolutionise the transportation landscape, targeting over 11,500 new CNG-enabled vehicles and 55,000 CNG conversion kits for existing PMS-dependent vehicles.
The president also said the initiative would encourage in-country manufacturing, local assembly and expansive job creation in line with the presidential directive.
The Nasarawa State Human Capital Development Agency said the training of 50 auto-technicians aligned with President Tinubu’s initiative to revolutionise the transportation system and job creation through alternative and clean energy sources.
She said, “This exercise is on LNG/CNG Bi-fuel system conversion. We are sending 50 technicians, including auto-mechanics and auto-electricians, to the Pan Learning Center in Kaduna State to learn how to do the conversion.
“This is part of the state government’s effort to align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The use of LNG and CNG is now encouraged in the country because they are cheaper for vehicle owners than Premium Motor Spirit (Fuel).
“We have made provisions that will enable them (trainees) to concentrate and gain valuable knowledge. Stipends, accommodation, and transportation were provided for all the participants.
“We are hopeful of receiving them back at Nasarawa State on Friday, and by Saturday, we will be having a graduation ceremony for them, during which Governor Abdullahi Sule will present them with certificates,” she explained.
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