The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says 100 Nigerians will be trained in automobile technology at the Nigerian automobile and bus manufacturing company, Innoson Vehicle located in Nnewi.

Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba  NDDC’s Board Chairman, disclosed this  in a statement issued on Sunday in Port Harcourt.

According to him, the  youths remain a resource, only if they are trained, skilled, and engaged, but if they are not, they will be a liability.

“We don’t want our youths to be a liability, rather, we prefer that they are resources, so that they can contribute to development of the Niger Delta”, the NDDC Chairman.

He commended Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman Innoson Group for putting Nigeria on the map as an automobile manufacturing nation.

He urged Federal, State and Local Governments to stop importing vehicles abroad and patronise locally-manufactured vehicles instead, as it is the only way local industries and local contents can be encouraged. NDDC is currently training another set of 200 students at the Innoson Academy, he adds.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of Innoson Vehicle Company, Chief Innocent Chukwuma said the auto company plans to open new factories in the Niger Delta region. His company is committed to putting the country as a hub of car manufacturing in Sub-Saharan Africa, he adds.

“I have challenged trainees studying at Innoson Academy to put in their best as Innoson will offer them automatic employment in our factories”, the Innoson boss says.