NADDC, FULafia to establish electric car charging station, CNG conversion hub

The Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) and National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) have concluded arrangements to establish an electric car charging station and a compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion spot.

The partnership was disclosed during a courtesy visit and take off meeting to the Vice-Chancellor of FULafia, Professor Shehu Abdul Rahman, by the Director-General of NADDC, Mr Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, who was represented by Arch. Father Ibrahim, accompanied by Arch. Martins T. Amough (Consultant to the Project).

In his remarks, Arch. Ibrahim described FULafia as a good place to start the business, saying that the University’s environment was good for research, innovation and training in the automotive sector.

He said that the NADDC was established by Act No. 83 of May 30, 2014, after it was merged with the National Automotive Council and the Centre for Automotive Design and Development, to become a parastatal under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. 

He said that the council envisions to transform Nigeria into a modern industrialised nation, while its mission is to design and implement policies and programmes for an effective, competitive and diversified automotive industry.

Welcoming the collaboration, Abdul Rahman described the planned facility as a potential industrial training hub for students and staff of the University.

He said: “You are the kind of stakeholder this University needs and you have now become a major stakeholder of FULafia.”

The vice-chancellor said that he and the Management of the University appreciated the NADDC boss for siting the project in Lafia. 

He added that the University was fully prepared to support the smooth take-off of the project, directing the FULafia Consult Limited, the Public-Private Partnership Unit, and the Physical Planning Directorate of the University to provide a site for the establishment of the project.

Earlier, the Coordinator of the Department of Architecture, Dr Andrew Adejo, who led the NADDC delegation, said that the project aligned with the Abdul Rahman-led administration’s policy of building strategic collaborations. 

He said that the University would benefit from the project especially in the areas of research and training.

Others who attended the meeting included the Acting Director of FULafia Consult, Dr Usman Ibrahim (represented by Mr Anwar Liman), and the Acting Director of Public-Private Partnerships, Engr. Nosakhare Agho.