The Plateau State Government has launched a five-day Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion, safety and maintenance training for 120 youths, in a major push to promote clean energy adoption and youth empowerment.
The programme, held at the Federal Secretariat in Jos, is being implemented in partnership with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and Thermolinks Limited.
Plateau Aligns with FG’s National Gas Expansion Programme
Declaring the training open, Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo, representing Governor Caleb Mutfwang, said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP), which seeks to promote cleaner, safer and more affordable energy alternatives across Nigeria.
She stressed that the programme reflects the state’s commitment to:
Youth skills acquisition
Entrepreneurship development
Environmental sustainability
Clean energy transition
“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,” Piyo said.
She also commended the NCDMB for extending the CNG capacity-building initiative to non-oil-producing states like Plateau, describing it as a demonstration of national inclusion and indigenous capacity development.
Practical CNG Conversion Training with Federal Certification
Project Director of Thermolinks Limited, Tonye Briggs, revealed that Plateau is the fifth state to benefit from the programme.
According to him, the training combines:
Classroom theory sessions
Real-time vehicle CNG conversions
Hands-on safety and maintenance practice
Each participant will receive:
A starter toolkit
Two professional certificates (one backed by the Federal Government)
Registration in a national database of certified CNG technicians
Briggs noted that demand for CNG technicians is rising sharply, adding that over 70% of newly introduced heavy-duty trucks in Nigeria now operate on CNG, with thousands more recently deployed nationwide.
CNG Conversion Centre Planned for Jos
Plateau State Commissioner for Transport, Davou Jatau, described the programme as timely and innovative, especially amid Nigeria’s ongoing fuel subsidy reforms and energy transition policies.
He disclosed that the state government is working on partnerships to establish a dedicated CNG conversion centre in Jos, which will further expand employment opportunities and technical capacity in the state.
However, he urged the Federal Government to accelerate investment in CNG refilling infrastructure, noting that gas supply access remains a major operational challenge.
Clean Energy and Sustainable Employment Benefits
The General Manager of the Plateau State Energy Services Corporation, Engr. Ponzing Gamde, highlighted the dual impact of the initiative.
According to him, the programme:
Promotes clean and environmentally friendly energy
Reduces carbon emissions and environmental degradation
Creates sustainable job opportunities for youths
Supports Nigeria’s broader energy diversification strategy
“This programme is both an empowerment initiative and an environmental intervention,” Gamde stated.
Why Plateau’s CNG Training Matters
With Nigeria accelerating its shift toward gas-powered transportation, Plateau’s investment in CNG technical training positions its youths at the forefront of the country’s growing alternative energy economy.
The initiative strengthens local capacity, supports national clean energy goals, and provides young people with in-demand technical skills capable of generating long-term income.
As CNG adoption continues to expand across Nigeria, certified technicians from Plateau could play a critical role in supporting vehicle conversions, maintenance services, and future energy infrastructure development.
