By Archibong Emmanuel
The Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on local content, Ambassador Awatt Caleb has confirmed the government readiness to train citizens in electric vehicle maintenance, repairs and manufacturing of electric buses, cars and Keke Napep.Awatt said 100 youths drawn across the 18 local government areas will benefit from the free training programme under “Local Content “Vosep” initiative.
Ambassador Awatt hinted the press that the programme is part of a broader vision aimed at empowering young talented youths with technical skills needed to prepare Cross River State for the growing adoption of renewable energy and green transportation.
One of the biggest challenges in the coming years will be who services electric vehicles in Cross River State when they develop faults. Through this programme, we are preparing our youths to fill that critical gap. Ambassador Awatt explained that as electric vehicles gradually makes inroads into the Cross River automobile market, it was important to ensure the state was not left behind in terms of technical expertise and manpower.
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Awatt said the programme will commence in June to prepare young Cross riverians to take advantage of the fast-emerging opportunities in the renewable energy and green transportation sector presented by the people first government of Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu led administration.
According to Amb. Awatt, the training will target 100 engineering students of Cross River origin for the training. He added that partnership with INNOSON vehicle and other automotive will ensure our local manpower exist to support the use of electric vehicles in the state.
“Today, if you drive past 20 vehicles in the city capital, you are likely to see at least one electric vehicle. Like every other car, it will require servicing at some point, and the critical question is; Who will fix it when it develops faults?” Awatt said. To meet this requirement, the local content office is work ready to upskill our youths in the automotive sector on the safe handling of high voltage system in electric and hybrid vehicles.
Having such a training programme in place will in turn set industry standards and also enable more Cross riverian skilled technicians to be work readily available as the people first government of Senator Bassey Otu works towards a more sustainable future for our youths in a programme powered by Japanese auto repair engineers in partnership with National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) as partners for electric vehicles and Keke Napep youths appreciate the training under Vosep by the Governor His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, Executive Governor of Cross River State in tandem with His People first mantra and season of sweetness.
