By Israel Adamu, Jos
The Government, in collaboration with the (NCDMB) and , has flagged off a five-day training programme on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion, safety, and maintenance for 120 youths in Jos.
The initiative, which commenced on Monday at the Federal Secretariat, Jos, aligns with the Federal Government’s National Gas Expansion Programme aimed at promoting cleaner, safer, and more affordable energy alternatives across the country.
Declaring the programme open, Plateau State Deputy Governor, , who represented Governor , described the training as a strategic intervention supporting the administration’s priorities in youth empowerment, skills acquisition, and environmental sustainability.
“Youth development remains a top priority of our administration. This training goes beyond gas conversion; it equips our young people with practical, market-driven skills that open doors to entrepreneurship and active participation in Nigeria’s evolving energy economy,” she said.
Piyo commended the NCDMB for extending the programme to non-oil-producing states like Plateau, describing it as a demonstration of national inclusion and commitment to indigenous capacity building.
Project Director of Thermolinks Limited, Mr. Tonye Briggs, disclosed that Plateau is the fifth state to benefit from the initiative. He praised the level of support received from the state government.
Briggs explained that the training combines theoretical sessions with hands-on vehicle conversion exercises. He added that each participant will receive a starter toolkit and two certificates—one backed by the Federal Government and another by the programme partners. Their names will also be uploaded to a national database of certified CNG technicians.
He highlighted the increasing demand for CNG technicians, noting that a significant percentage of newly introduced heavy-duty trucks nationwide now operate on CNG, with thousands more recently deployed.
Plateau State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Davou Jatau, described the initiative as timely and innovative for the state. He disclosed that efforts are underway to establish a CNG conversion centre in Jos and called for accelerated federal support in providing CNG refilling infrastructure, citing gas supply access as a key challenge.
Also speaking, the General Manager of the Plateau State Energy Services Corporation, Engr. Ponzing Gamde, emphasized the dual benefits of the programme.
“This programme is a major gain for Plateau State. It promotes clean energy, reduces environmental degradation, and equips our youths with skills they can turn into sustainable livelihoods. It is both an empowerment initiative and an environmental intervention,” Gamde said.
