Niger Delta youths may lead the rest of Nigeria in gas vehicle conversion technology. The youths are also ahead in other forms of retail technology in the hydrocarbon industry.
This is because the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has flagged off training on compressed natural gas (CNG) auto-gas technology for 400 youths of the region in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking, Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, said: “The CNG is a cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective alternative to conventional fuels, and the growing adoption of CNG-powered vehicles across Nigeria has created a strong demand for skilled technicians.”
It is foreseen that the oil region would be ahead in the retail technology needed to maintain such CNG-powered vehicles henceforth.
According to the NDDC boss, the training programme would reduce youth unemployment, promote entrepreneurship, support environmental sustainability, and create new economic opportunities in the Niger Delta region.
He urged beneficiaries to approach the training with discipline and dedication, cautioning them against selling their starter packs after graduation.
Lyna Okara, Director of Commercial and Industrial Development, affirmed that 400 participants were selected for the programme and would be trained in two batches over six weeks. She encouraged the trainees to pay close attention and make the utmost use of the opportunity provided by the NDDC.
In his remarks, Olayinka Rufai, a representative of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PI-CNG), commended the NDDC for its forward-looking approach and alignment with the Federal Government’s vision for clean energy.
He described the initiative as futuristic and praised the Commission for advancing the CNG agenda in the Niger Delta region.
Also speaking, Abasiandikan Nkono, the Akwa Ibom State representative on the NDDC board, urged youths to fully utilise the skills acquired from NDDC-sponsored programmes rather than continually seeking new training opportunities.
He noted that the CNG conversion training would expose participants to endless economic possibilities.
According to Seledi Thompson-Wakama
Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Saidu Hamdullahi, the head trainer from Viedenburg Energy Resources, encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity to improve themselves and prepare for emerging opportunities in the energy sector.
