The National Automotive Design and Development Council has trained 50 technicians in Borno State on converting petrol-powered vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas.

The two-week training, organised in collaboration with Jennymond System, an indigenous firm, was part of the Federal Government’s national programme to train technicians and youths in CNG vehicle conversion across the country.

Speaking at the closing ceremony 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.

James said the programme was an important step towards reducing dependence on petrol and urged the beneficiaries to begin applying the skills acquired during the training.

He said the 50 participants were drawn from the Borno chapter of the Nigeria Automobile Technical Association.

James also encouraged the beneficiaries to train other technicians who were unable to participate, adding that more young Nigerians would be trained when additional slots were approved.

One of the beneficiaries, Adamu Abdullahi, a mechanical technician, said the participants acquired practical knowledge on converting petrol-powered vehicles to CNG.

He commended the Federal Government, the Borno State Government for providing the opportunity for technicians to acquire the new skills.

Each of the trainee technicians received a CNG conversion toolbox to enable them to apply the skills acquired during the programme.