The Federal Government has graduated the first batch of technicians and other experts trained to convert petrol-powered vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Borno State.

The two-week training workshop, organised by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) in collaboration with Jennymond System, an indigenous firm, was part of the Federal Government’s national training programme for technicians and youths on the conversion of petrol-powered vehicles to CNG across the country.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the training in Maiduguri on Friday, the trainer and representative of Jennymond System, Oloruntobi James, said the Presidential CNG Initiative was creating opportunities for young Nigerians while providing an alternative to the high cost of petrol.

“The Presidential CNG Initiative provides opportunities for young people and an alternative to the high cost of petrol (PMS),” James said.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for initiating the conversion of petrol-powered vehicles to CNG, describing the programme as an important step towards reducing dependence on petrol.
James disclosed that 50 technicians, drawn from the Borno chapter of the Nigeria Automobile Technical Association (NATA), participated in the intensive training.

He urged the beneficiaries to commence work immediately by deploying the skills acquired during the programme, while also encouraging them to train others who were unable to participate.
James added that more young Nigerians would be trained once the government approved additional slots.
One of the beneficiaries, Adamu Abdullahi, a mechanical technician, said the trainees acquired practical knowledge of CNG conversion, including how to switch a vehicle from petrol to CNG.

“We’ve learnt a lot about the conversion of petrol-driven vehicles to gas. The training is good, and we believe it has broadened our knowledge of CNG mechanics,” he said.
Abdullahi commended the Federal Government and the Borno State Government for providing the opportunity for the technicians to acquire the new skills.
Each of the trainee technicians also received a CNG conversion toolbox to enable them to put the skills acquired into practice.