The Cross River State Government has concluded plans to train 100 youths in electric vehicle maintenance, repairs, and manufacturing as part of efforts to prepare the state for the emerging renewable energy and green transportation economy.
The Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on Local Content, Awatt Caleb, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Calabar on the forthcoming “Local Content VOSEP Initiative.”
Awatt said beneficiaries of the free technical training programme would be drawn from the 18 local government areas of the state, adding that the initiative was designed to equip young people with practical skills required in the rapidly evolving automotive and renewable energy sector.
According to him, the programme forms part of the broader “People First” agenda of the administration of Governor Bassey Otu aimed at expanding youth empowerment opportunities and positioning Cross River to take advantage of emerging global technological trends.
He explained that the increasing presence of electric vehicles within Nigeria’s transportation sector made it necessary for the state to develop local technical manpower capable of handling maintenance and repair challenges associated with the technology.
“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,” he said.
Awatt noted that the training, expected to commence in June, would focus on electric buses, cars, and tricycles popularly known as Keke Napep.
He stated that 100 engineering students of Cross River origin had been targeted for the first phase of the programme.
The governor’s aide further disclosed that the initiative would be implemented in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, alongside Japanese automobile repair engineers expected to provide technical support and expertise.
According to him, the programme would expose participants to the safe handling of high-voltage systems in electric and hybrid vehicles while also building local industry standards for future automobile servicing operations in the state.
Awatt said the state government considered the initiative strategic because electric vehicles were gradually becoming more visible on Nigerian roads, stressing that Cross River must not be left behind in the transition toward cleaner and more sustainable transportation systems.
“Today, if you drive past 20 vehicles in the city, 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,” he stated.
He added that the training programme was expected to create employment opportunities for young people and strengthen local technical capacity within the automotive sector.
Awatt commended Governor Bassey Otu for supporting youth-focused development initiatives, noting that the programme aligned with the administration’s commitment to economic empowerment, innovation, and sustainable development.
Some youths who reacted to the announcement expressed appreciation to the state government for introducing the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention capable of opening up new career opportunities in the evolving green technology sector.
