The Director-General/CEO of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin has disclosed that the recently commissioned 21 Automotive Training Centres (ATCs) when fully operational will also be used as conversion centre for CNG vehicles.
He said this is part of the move to drive the adoption of compressed natural gas (CNG) powered vehicles being promoted by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.
Osanipin spoke in Lagos on Thursday during the annual training and capacity building workshop organised by the Nigerian Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) with the theme ‘CNG/LPG/EV initiative: Challenges, Sustainability, Opportunities, Alternatives to Fossil Fuels in Nigeria’.
Represented by an Assistant Director, Press and Protocol in the council, Ikechukwu Okocha, the DG reiterated that the establishment of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas by the President was in furtherance of his commitment “to easing the impact of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians by reducing energy costs.”
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According to him, “Among the objectives of this transformative initiative is promoting innovative ways of bringing the transition to CNG as an alternative energy source.”
The DG explained that the use of CNG and electric vehicles is one of the sure ways of reducing the emissions from petrol and diesel.
“These vehicles converted and/or produced to run on CNG produce far fewer amount of the harmful emissions associated with traditional fuels, therefore, offer the best environmental alternative,” he stated.
He highlighted some of the steps taken by the council to assure users of CNG of the safety of the conversion.
He said in collaboration with experts in conversion technology, the Council developed the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Conversion, Calibration and Maintenance of Autogas-Powered Vehicles (CNG/LPG/LNG).
The NOS has been validated by industry practitioners and approved by the regulatory authority, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). The NOS would be used to train auto technicians on the conversion, repair and maintenance of gas-powered vehicles.
In order to encourage the conversion of vehicles, council proposed zero duty for conversion kits in the auto policy;
“To further demonstrate the safety of gas-powered vehicles, the council has converted some of its vehicles to use CNG. Some locally assembled gas-powered have also been procured by the council…”
He added that the Council is engaging world-class OEMs to ensure that we get the best conversion solutions introduced into the Country. Training of local manpower and local manufacturing of conversion kits are also being discussed;
He said the council has created a CNG conversion portal for the registration, accreditation and licensing of CNG conversion workshops across Nigeria.
“To ensure skills development and international best practices in the automotive sector of the country, the council conceived the establishment of Automotive Training Centres (ATCs) across the six geo-political zones aimed at redefining the nation’s auto industry, job provision and improvement in skills among technicians.
“This will in turn ensure prompt and efficient repair and maintenance of vehicles while ensuring the safety of the mechanics, the vehicles and the environment.
“A 21 is being built by the council. Many of the projects have been completed and are currently being equipped with state-of–the–art equipment by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
“The ATCs will also serve as CNG conversion centres when operational,” he stated.
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