Kano government seeks revival of PAN

The Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has advocates the revival of Peugot Automobile Nigerian (PAN) as part of measures to revamp the automobile industry and make Nigeria an exporter of locally made vehicles to service the African market in the near future.

The Governor, Ganduje spoke after attending the graduation of 72 Youth trainees of Kano origins at PAN, saying that there was need for Nigeria to revive the auto industry and begin the production of locally made cars for both domestic and African sub regional consumption.

He lamented the current trend of event where PAN has down tools in its primary role of production of vehicles and now engages in only the training of Youths and mechanics in auto-technology.

The Governor, who spoke with Journalists after facility tour of PAN plant for training exercise, said “I think the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari will eventually change all these anomalies that have been pointed out”.

“Let us start with the importation of food. Now Agriculture is the vogue. I assure you that as he goes on this place will regain its past glory. We are supposed to be exporting cars to West African countries and other African countries but it is unfortunate to see what is happening now”.

“PAN has resorted to only training, which should be just an appendage of its function. So, I believe that gradually we shall be there”.Besides, the Managing Director of PAN, Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi in his speech at the graduation ceremony organized for the Kano State Youths after their training programme, said that “We are glad to have the Governor in PAN and we appreciate his patronage of the Peugeot Learning Center”, adding, “ It is not of the patronage itself but in the value of what he has done, particularly on the issue of youth empowerment”.

According to Alhaji Boyi, “Today, one of the biggest challenges we face in the country is on youth unemployment. And with the virile and young population we have I think any government should make it a primary role to boost and grow youth employment”.

“We are very happy to provide the tools and facilities to empower some of our youths. What Kano State has done, we hope will serve as an example for many other States, especially in the northern part of the country to create the skills; because without skill and education it will almost be impossible to empower the youths”.

“So, the virile and the solution to youth empowerment is education and skills. Coming to the skill sector, we believe that PAN is an organization and has built, and have the experience to be able to support communities and our government in ensuring that our youths are properly trained in auto technology and skills so that they can earn a living for themselves, and of course become employers eventually”.

However, PAN Managing Director argued that the Automobile company“ offers the unique value in terms of the acquisition of the skills delivered through training”, pointing out that “Automotives skills have assumed a global form and Youths today have the disposition to acquire more skills than mechanics”.

“What we do at PAN is to ensure that our students are properly grounded in terms of technology as well. So, we provide them with the physical and automotive training. But, we also ensure that they develop sufficient skills in ICT. This we believe will enhance their capability and will enhance their understanding of the development in the auto industry”.

Boyi stressed further, “it provides them the tools for life. Apart from the ICT training, we also provide them with driving training so that they will leave with Drivers Licenses, and they are also going to leave with the City and Guides certificates”.

PAN boss also stated, that “We have also developed a programme to train the road side mechanics”, while adding, “The natural progression is for them to be able to have a place where they can practice, where they can carry out their skills and be employed”.
“So, we are going to provide mentorship and training in terms of entrepreneurship.

And we are going to link them to our after sales networks. Naturally they will have opportunity to service vehicles, and where ever they sell Peugeot they will show that people can service their vehicles. There is a prototype that we have already developed”.