No fewer than 120 artisans across Jigawa State have been trained on Compressed Natural Gas conversion, maintenance and safety as the state government works to establish CNG conversion centres in the state in a move to boost Nigeria’s alternative energy drive.
PUNCH Online gathered that the training, organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board in collaboration with Hatfield Global Resources and Safe AutoGas Ltd, aimed to empower youths and artisans with skills to convert petrol-powered vehicles to CNG-powered ones.
It was learnt that the development comes as work is underway by the Jigawa State Government to provide CNG conversion centres across the state with the aim of creating jobs, reducing fuel costs, and promoting energy efficiency.
It could be recalled that on February 4, 2025, the Jigawa State Government said it had invested over N132 million in developing a training centre for the conversion of natural gas in Dutse and other parts of the state.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the PUNCH correspondent during the closing of the three-day practical training held at Manpower Development Institute, Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, on Wednesday, the representative of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Torunarigha K. Cash said, “We’re here to ensure the training is guided according to the prescribed manual of the board.”
Cash, who oversaw the training, stated that the programme was part of efforts to ensure the success of the CNG transition across the country.
The NCDMB representative emphasised that “The training was rigorous and fantastic, aimed at empowering Nigerian youths and artisans to learn CNG conversion skills.”
According to him, the board is working to ensure the success of the CNG transition across the country, adding that “The training was part of efforts to promote energy efficiency in Nigeria.”
Revealing more on the nature of the training, Cash said, “The training, which was practical-oriented, saw about ten different kinds of vehicles converted from petroleum-powered to CNG-powered for free.”
Equally, the organiser of the training and Chief Executive Officer of Hatfield Global Resources Ltd, the consulting company saddled with the responsibility of organising and offering the training under the regulations of the NCDMB, Safiya Idris Hadejia, while being interviewed by our correspondent during the training, said the training was the first of its kind in the state.
“What we’re doing is in line with the Nigerian Gas Expansion Programme. The initiative aimed to empower 120 youths and artisans with CNG conversion skills,” she declared.
Hadejia explained that the Federal Government was making efforts to ensure youths are empowered with skills to take advantage of the CNG initiative, saying that “The federal government is making a lot of effort towards ensuring that the youths are empowered.
“We selected about 120 youth beneficiaries to give them this training, and the participants comprised both male and female.”
However, the CEO appealed to youths to take advantage of such opportunities.
“I’m appealing to all those young artisans and youths that are out there that are looking for something to do to keep looking for opportunities like this,” she said.
Furthermore, Hadejia noted that the Jigawa State Government is constructing four CNG conversion centres across the state, in Dutse, Hadejia, Kazaure and Gumel Emirates.
“We hope these young men will be employed to work and run those CNG conversion centres when they’re complete and inaugurated,” she said.
When asked about the trainees, Hadejia said, “The trainees showed a lot of passion and commitment during the training,” and noted their attitude, saying, “So far from what we have seen, I’m very, very happy with the attitude of all the youth participants.”
She added that “Hatfield Global Resources Ltd is working on organising another version of the training soon.”
One of the beneficiaries, Ahmed Musa, a Keke-Napep rider, said when interviewed by our correspondent that he was grateful for the opportunity.
“I’m happy to learn this skill; it will help me earn a living,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Fatima Abdullahi, said she was excited to acquire the skill. “I want to start my own CNG conversion business,” she said.
Leave a comment