The Nasarawa State Government has initiated a training programme for 50 auto-technicians to equip them with the skills needed to convert petroleum vehicles to run on Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG and Compressed Natural Gas, CNG.
This move is part of the state’s response to the recent removal of the petroleum subsidy and aligns with the Federal Government’s plan to introduce gas-powered vehicles across Nigeria.
The five-day training, set to take place at the PAN Learning Centre in Kaduna State, aims to promote sustainable energy alternatives that reduce fuel costs and contribute to environmental conservation.
Speaking to journalists in Lafia, the state capital, on Monday, the Director General of the Nasarawa State Human Capital Development Agency, Habiba Balarabe-Suleiman, pointed out the state’s commitment to innovative measures that support both the well-being of citizens and broader national development goals.
“This exercise is on LNG/CNG bi-fuel system conversion. We are sending 50 technicians, comprising auto-mechanics and auto-electricians, to the Pan Learning Centre in Kaduna State to learn how to do the conversion,” Balarabe-Suleiman explained.
She added that the selected technicians, who are members of the Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), were chosen based on their track records.
The initiative, according to Balarabe-Suleiman, is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which encourages the use of LNG and CNG as cost-effective alternatives to Premium Motor Spirit, PMS.
She further stated that the state government has made provisions for stipends, accommodation, and transportation to ensure that the trainees can fully focus on their learning.
The 50 technicians are expected to return to Nasarawa State on Friday, with a graduation ceremony scheduled for Saturday.
During the ceremony, Governor Abdullahi Sule will present certificates to the participants. The state government anticipates that the trained technicians will further disseminate their knowledge to others in the state and lay the groundwork for establishing a conversion plant.
NATA’s Nasarawa State Chairman, Shuaibu Abdullahi, expressed gratitude to the state government for organising the workshop.
He stated that the training would enhance the livelihoods of NATA members and help mitigate the challenges posed by the fuel subsidy removal.
One of the participants, Kabiru Muhammed, speaking on behalf of the group, thanked the state government and NATA for the opportunity.
He assured that the knowledge gained during the training would be put into practice, contributing to environmental protection and sustainable development in Nasarawa State.