Minister of State for Transportation; Gbemisola Saraki, last week inaugurated the Gombe Outreach Learning Centre of Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, held at Kumo town, Akko Local Government Area of the state, the minister said that the centre would serve all the six states in the North-East geo-political zone.
Saraki said that the aim of establishing the centre was to improve the transport sector of the country, adding that most developed nations invested heavily on their transport sectors.
She said that the centre would provide the relevant skills and knowledge needed in the transport sector.
“I wish to call on state governments to support the youth in their respective states to enroll at the centre, and after graduating, to assist them with the facilities needed to set up their businesses.
“I also wish to call on good-spirited individuals and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to complement the efforts of government by assisting unemployed persons in their own ways,” the minister said.
She noted that the Federal Government had committed huge resources towards the revitalisation and modernisation of railways across the country.
According to her, revamping of Port-Harcourt-Gombe-Maiduguri rail lines has commenced, in line with the federal government’s efforts at providing transportation.
The NITT Director-General, Dr Bayero Salih, said that the centre and others across the country had been equipped with modern state-of-the-art facilities for both practical and theoretical training in all modes of transportation.
In his speech, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, expressed his administration’s readiness to support those interested in acquiring skills to enable them realise their dreams.
He said that the centre would offer a range of courses, such as Advanced Professional Diplomas, Professional Diplomas and Certificates.
Yahaya said that aside from the courses, the centre also had skill acquisition programmes in Auto-Mechanics and Auto-Electrical, among others.
“I assure you that the institute will take necessary security and maintenance measures to ensure the longevity of the facility.
“I commend the federal government for repositioning the transport sector, because any nation that toys with transportation is doing so at its own peril.
“I wish to assure you that the state government will assist the centre to achieve the purpose for which it was established,” the governor said.
