Workshop for automobile technicians ends in Uyo

BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

A three-weeks work shop for Automobile Technicians also known as mechanics has ended in Uyo, the State Capital.

The workshop which was organized by the National Automotive Council (NAC) in collaboration with the Federal Government through Subsidy Re-Investment Programme (SURE – P) and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), took place at the Mechanic Village Hall, Afaha Offot.

The workshop featured lectures on personal and business vision, marketing and sales technique, book-keeping, banking and finance for medium-small scale business, customer care, ethics in business, as well as presentation of empowerment tools to the Mechanics.

The Mechanics were trained on how to handle and satisfy customers through good public relations rather than arguing with customers. They were also trained on how to open business account, modernize their operations as well as upgrade on their manner of business operations.

Delivering her lecture, the guest lecturer, working with Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mrs. Lucy Ekpenyong said the aim of the workshop was to build the capacity of Automobile Technicians to be able operate and function properly in their business. She said it was to equip them with the necessary skills that will enable them run their businesses effectively and also to help them acquire new modern skills in times like this when newer brands of cars are being built. “This workshop was to equip them on how to handle new product of cars and also to teach them how to relate with all customers and satisfy them through good public relations”. She said.

She emphasized on the value of good ethics in the work place while encouraging the participants to always imbibe the principle of doing the right things for their customers; reminding them to always have vision and long-term plan in order to achieve success in their businesses.

In his speech, the consultant of the Mechanic Village and Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), Akwa Ibom State, Otuekong Austin Ndaeyo commended the National Automotive Council for organizing the workshop. Describing it as a welcome development in the State, he said it will go a long way to upgrade their knowledge in the sector from analogue to digital.

According to him, I’m happy because this workshop is going to enhance their capacity in terms of service delivery and will help them know how to diagnose a car, how to attend to their customers and most importantly, how to access and operate certain facilities.

Otuekong Ndaeyo hinted that in a bid to draw government’s attention, he has concluded plans to organize the first Akwa Ibom Automobile Technicians Summit. According to him, it will be an economic summit with the essence of unlocking the potentials of all Automobile Technicians in the State.

While calling for cooperation from the Technicians, Ndaeyo maintained that the summit will bring them close to government so that they can enjoy the dividends of the present administration’s uncommon transformation; adding that the summit will also help them know the exact number of Automobile Technicians operating in the State.

Also speaking, the State chairman of Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), Mr. Aloysius John, thanked the federal government for the initiative of ensuring that the workshop is achieved through the Subsidy Re-Investment Programme (SURE – P) in partnership with NATA at the National level. He expressed that they have benefited a lot from the workshop and described it as a right step taken at the right time.

In his words “It is a welcome development, it has helped us upgrade our knowledge, we are very grateful to the federal and State government”. Mr. John who is also the Chairman, Mechanic Village seized the opportunity to appeal to the State Government to help them work on the bad road network and poor environment they operate in. “We want government to look into us. There is no access road at the mechanic village and the place is over-populated. It is in a deplorable condition”.

Responding on behalf of the participants, Mr. Fabian Asanga thanked the organizers of the workshop. He promised to put to use the impact and knowledge gained at the workshop and to also train colleagues who missed the event in order to move the sector forward.

Participants at the workshop were: Asukwo Umana, Chuku Eze, Victor Ufia, Ime Akpaitam, Akpanimo Edet, Unwana Udo, Toby Etukudo, Patrick Udom, Pius Udia, Anietie Ekanem, Unyime Thomas, Monday Umoren, Etop James, Ime James, Sunday Edem, Friday Noah, Chima Ubani and Saturday Akpan.

Highpoint of the workshop was the presentation of empowerment tools namely: OBDII scan tool, Digital multi-meter and Battery tester by the training supervisor, Mr. Eze Everistus to all the participants.