FG opens CNG conversion, training centre in Kebbi

The Federal Government on Thursday inaugurated a National Automotive Training Centre and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Conversion Centre in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State with 100 youths graduating after training in mechatronics and CNG vehicle conversion.

The centre is located at the ICT Centre of the Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital.

It is one of the facilities established by the Federal Government to enhance technical skills, promote clean energy adoption, and create employment opportunities in the automotive sector.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, said the facility underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to industrial development, human capital development, and economic diversification.

Enoh described the centre as more than a physical structure, saying it would catalyse innovation, technical skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, job creation, and sustainable economic growth.

He said: “This occasion is not merely the unveiling of a physical structure; it represents the opening of new opportunities for innovation, technical skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, employment creation, and sustainable economic growth for the people of Kebbi State and the entire North West geopolitical zone.”

The minister described Kebbi as a strategic state in Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape, noting its strengths in rice production, fisheries, mineral resources, and inland waterways.

He also highlighted the state’s global recognition as host of the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival, describing it as one of Africa’s oldest cultural festivals promoting tourism, culture, and economic activities.

In his remarks, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State said the establishment of the centre reflected the Federal Government’s resolve to accelerate industrialisation and youth empowerment.

Represented by his deputy, Senator Umar Abubakar-Tafida, said the facility would equip young Nigerians with modern automotive diagnostic, maintenance and CNG conversion skills required in the evolving transportation sector.

According to him, the centre would prepare youths not only for today’s labour market, but also position them for future opportunities in Nigeria’s growing automotive industry.

Earlier, the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Oluwemimo Osanipin, said 100 youths drawn from the 21 local government areas of Kebbi State had successfully completed intensive training in mechatronics and CNG technologies.

Osanipin said the training was conducted by the council in partnership with PADSON Company as part of efforts to build a skilled workforce capable of driving the country’s automotive transformation.

He said the council was mandated to facilitate the sustainable development of Nigeria’s automotive industry through the effective utilisation of local human and material resources.

According to him, NADDC has continued to prioritise skills development, technology transfer, technical capacity building and youth empowerment as key pillars of industrial growth.

“To support this objective, the council has established Automotive Training Centres across the six geopolitical zones of the country, including Kebbi State, to serve as hubs for automotive skills acquisition, technical innovation, entrepreneurship development and workforce preparation for the evolving automotive industry,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of PADSON Company, Chief Hezekiah Adediji, urged residents of the state and neighbouring communities to take advantage of the facility for training and vehicle conversion services.

He commended the Federal Government, NADDC, and Kebbi State Government for the successful establishment of the centre.

Adediji also lauded the state government for ensuring equitable selection of trainees from the 21 local government areas, expressing confidence that they had acquired the requisite technical skills to contribute meaningfully to the nation.

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