Sani Dutsinma
The Federal Government has commissioned a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Automotive Training Centre at Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi, as part of efforts to strengthen technical skills development and promote industrial growth.
The facility, located at the institution’s ICT Centre, is expected to serve as a hub for training young Nigerians in CNG vehicle diagnostics, maintenance and other automotive technologies.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, said the centre reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to industrial development and human capital advancement.
He described the facility as more than a physical structure, saying it would create opportunities for innovation, technical skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, employment generation and sustainable economic growth in Kebbi State and the North-West region.
The Minister noted that Kebbi’s strategic role as one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural and rice-producing states makes it well-positioned to benefit from investments that diversify the economy and strengthen local industries.
Governor Nasir Idris, represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar, said the commissioning of the centre demonstrates the Federal Government’s determination to drive industrialisation and empower young people with practical skills.
He said the centre’s primary objective is to equip youths with modern automotive diagnostic and maintenance skills required for the growing CNG-powered transportation sector.
Earlier, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Oluwemimo Osanipin, disclosed that 100 youths drawn from the 21 Local Government Areas of Kebbi State had already been trained in Compressed Natural Gas technology through a partnership between the Council and PADSON Company.
According to him, the trainees are expected to transfer the knowledge and skills acquired to other young people, thereby expanding the state’s technical workforce.
Osanipin said the Council remains committed to developing Nigeria’s automotive industry through skills development, technology transfer, youth empowerment and the effective utilisation of local human and material resources.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of PADSON Company, Chief Hezekiah Adediji, urged residents of the state to make use of the training centre, while commending the Federal and Kebbi State governments for establishing the facility.
He also praised the state government for selecting participants from all 21 local government areas, expressing confidence that the beneficiaries had acquired the expertise needed to support the country’s transition to cleaner and more sustainable transportation.