Governor Abdullahi Sule has disclosed plans to establish three Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) vehicles conversion centres in each of the three senatorial zones in the state.

Governor Sule made this known during the graduation ceremony and presentation of certificates to 50 indigenous auto-technicians trained on CNG-LNG bio-fuel system conversion, which held at the conference hall of Ministry for Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs on Monday.

According to the Governor, instead of providing starter packs to the graduating trainees, his administration intends to build three conversion centres in the state where the trainees would not only demonstrate their skills and knowledge but also train other people.

He however pointed out that, in line with the policy of his administration on the prudent management of resources of the state, the three conversion centres would be incorporated as part of the three tractor repairs and maintenance centres to be established by India’s largest manufacturer of tractors, Mahindra which has indicated interest to build it centres in each of the senatorial zone of the state.

The Governor recalled his recent trip to India where a partnership with the global tractor manufacturer, Mahindra was struck.

“The Commissioner of Agriculture and I just came back from India not long ago. When we went to India, we established a relationship with Mahindra. They just got back into the country and they are going to establish three maintenance centres in the state.

“We don’t duplicate efforts. I want to be prudent in the management of Nasarawa State resources. Since we are going to establish these centres for the repairs, maintenance and possible manufacturing of some of the few items, bolts, nuts, shafts, phalanges that we can make from these particular spots.

“Mahindra is coming to help us setup this, one in each senatorial zone. Our plan is also to engage you on one side. We can start there and expand these units so that they are not only for the repairs of tractors, they are also for the conversion of vehicles. Let’s see how successful these three can be then government can subsequently establish more conversion centres,” he stated.

While highlighting the significance of the training, Governor Sule pointed out the future lies with clean energy and with gas, CNG, LNG and electric vehicles.

He posited that with the astronomical rise in the cost of petrol in the country, clean energy remains the future for Nigerians.

“While other places and states, with due respect, will be thinking about what to do, Nasarawa State already had what to do. You are already going in that direction. That is the idea for you to be ahead. The future of gas is enormous. For you and for Nigeria. Because Nigeria is really a gas country. And as if that was not enough, Nasarawa State has become a gas state. Yes, we are an oil producing state but we have come across gas even before hitting the oil. That is the idea about the drilling operation taking place today in Obi,” he added.

The Governor called on the graduating trainees, selected from across the 13 local government areas, to consider themselves as trainers who would go ahead to impact their skills and knowledge on others.

“This is what we call intensive learning process. That is the reason why it is shortened to one week. The essence is for you to become what we call train-the-trainer. You are indeed trainers, you are no longer trainees. Definitely, you are no longer roadside mechanics. You are now certified technicians and certified trainers who are going to now and train other trainees,” he said.

He used the opportunity of the event to show appreciation to partners who worked tiredness to ensure the success of the initiative, particularly members of the National Automotive Technicians Association (NATA) Nasarawa State chapter, for the efficient coordination and selection of the participants.

“I want to thank NATA state chairman and your team for the wonderful work that you have done in the selection of these people. Let me at this moment indicate that we had no hand whatsoever in the selection of participants.

“For instance, I did not know any of these technicians, and I didn’t participate in the selection. We decided to select a team that we believed would understand where to locate these technicians and the most hard working of them. We gave them the free hand, with the Human Capital Development Agency to select them,” he said.

In an opening remarks, Director General, Nasarawa State Human Capital Development Agency, Habiba Balarabe Suleiman, said the graduation ceremony of the 50 auto technicians is anchored on the country’s energy transition plan which adopted the priotisation of cleaner fuels such as natural gas to reduce the nation’s carbon footprint and close the energy gap, in line with the Federal Government’s Climate Change Act 2021.

Suleiman explained that the 5-day intensive training programme at the PAN Learning Centre in Kaduna focused on equipping the participants with the expertise to convert vehicles from PMS to LNG/CNG using the advanced auto gas bio fuel system which allows vehicles to switch seamlessly between fuel types, providing flexibility and cost saving for drivers while significantly reducing emissions.

“These 50 participants carefully selected from various sectors across the state have undergone comprehensive hands-on training, positioning them to serve as key drivers of this revolutionary change. This represent a long term development of human capital in Nasarawa State. It empowers individuals with specialized skills that will drive economic diversification and enhance the quality of life of the people,” she said.

She expressed confidence that with this programme Nasarawa State is being positioned as a leader in the transition of gas based energy alternatives, with the trainees now equipped with the technical skills to drive the state’s future in clean energy.

The DG seized the opportunity to show appreciation to the Nasarawa State Government, their technical, implementing partners, NATA, PAN Learning Center and technical experts.

She encouraged the trainees to approach their roles with commitment and dedication that they have have already demonstrated through out this training.

In a goodwill message, Director General, PAN Learning Center Kaduna, Hussaini Abubaker, said the CNG/LNG conversion training at PAN Learning Center ensures that individuals involved in the CNG conversion are well equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform safe, efficient and compliant vehicle conversion from petrol, or diesel to CNG or LNG as the secondary fuel.

“The conversion process involves the installation of CNG equipment also known as conversion kits on the vehicle. A change over switch also allows the driver to switch between the two alternative power sources,” he stated.