NDDC trains 500 Niger Delta youths on CNG autogas conversion

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has successfully trained 500 youths from across the nine Niger Delta states in compressed natural gas (CNG) autogas conversion.

The participants graduated after a six-week programme held at the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Speaking at the ceremony, the NDDC Managing Director, Samuel Ogbuku, described CNG as a cleaner, safer, and more affordable alternative to conventional fuel. He said the initiative is part of efforts to position the Niger Delta as a hub for engine conversion services in Nigeria.

Ogbuku noted that the programme was designed to tackle unemployment and equip young people with practical, income-generating skills.

“We aim to turn challenges such as joblessness and limited opportunities into avenues for growth by empowering our youths,” he said.

He added that the adoption of CNG technology would boost job creation, support local manufacturing, and encourage technology transfer in areas such as vehicle retrofitting, conversion, and production infrastructure.

The NDDC boss also recalled the Commission’s partnership with the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative to drive the implementation of the CNG policy in the region.

In a goodwill message, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, commended the NDDC for aligning with the Federal Government’s clean energy agenda. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Enobong Uwah, the governor said the initiative would play a key role in transforming the region’s economy.

He highlighted the Niger Delta’s long-standing role in Nigeria’s energy sector, noting that the global transition to cleaner energy presents new opportunities for growth and sustainability.

Also speaking, the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Victor Antai, explained that the training was conducted in two batches and focused on practical skills, including CNG vehicle conversion, maintenance, and safety standards in line with global best practices.

Antai said the programme would contribute to a more reliable and sustainable transportation system, stimulate economic growth, and reduce harmful emissions.

Similarly, the NDDC Executive Director, Corporate Services, Ifedayo Abegunde, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of harnessing Nigeria’s gas resources to ease economic challenges.

Other stakeholders, including the Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Akintunde Sawyerr, and representatives of the Presidential CNG Initiative, praised the programme as forward-looking and critical to Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy.

They noted that as demand grows for CNG-powered vehicles, the need for skilled technicians will continue to rise, making such training programmes essential for economic development.

The NDDC Director of Commercial and Industrial Development, Lyna Okara, reaffirmed that the initiative is in line with the Commission’s mandate to build human capacity and promote skills development in the Niger Delta.