-By Sylvester Iloba:

The Delta State Government in collaboration with the Stallion Auto Keke Ltd has trained more 50 Deltan Youths on the repair and servicing of the new improved Keke Bajaj.

The Training/Empowerment Programme which took place in Aladja close to Warri, Delta State had 50 trainees that were taught the rudiments of repairing, assembling and servicing of the new improved Keke Bajaj.

Mr. Peter Okolie the Senior Investment Analyst in the Delta State Investments Development Agency (DIDA) and also the Special Project Director who represented the duo of the Agency’s Chairman, Mr. Paul Nmah and Direector General Chief Lucky Oghene-Omoru said that the Training/Empowerment Programme is in line with the agreement reached between the Delta State Government and the Stallion Auto Keke Ltd to train a total number of 250 Deltans on the the repair and servicing of the new improved Keke Bajaj.

“We are here today to ensure that the training in Warri goes smoothly. If you recall we already had a Training Programme in Asaba where 50 youths were trained through the effort of the Delta State Government and the Stallion Auto Keke Ltd a subsidiary of the Stallion Group.

” The training is going round the whole of Delta State. We have for Asaba, Warri, Sapele, Ughelli etc.” Mr. Okolie said.

According to Mr. Okolie the total target of Deltans to be trained is 1,000, but that they commenced with 250 in the first instance.

He stated further that the Programme  is targeted at training those who have a prior technical knowledge on how to repair Keke.

Speaking on other benefits the trainees stand to gain apart from the certification, the Special Project Director said they will be given Starter Packs paid for by the Delta State Government in line with their Youth Empowerment Programme.

” Apart from the Starter Packs and the training, they will also be at advantage to become Spare Parts Dealers because the Assembly Plant is coming into Asaba and it will come with Spare Parts section, some of the beneficiaries will venture into Spare Parts Dealership and also dealers in the sale of Keke because they are now front line customers of the Company.

” More importantly the best performing trainee will be rewarded with a workshop fully equipped for after sales services, this is in line with what the State Government has arranged for this programme..” He stated.

Mr. Okolie speaking further on DIDA achievements said that the Agency had been very active in the administration of His Excellency Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa especially towards attracting various investments to the State.

“Apart from the Stallion Auto Keke Ltd Plant that would soon be up and running, the Agency had also attracted other investments like the Power Gas Plant at Ebedei, the Delfrasco Tower Manufacturing Plant which site project work at Issele-Uku has commenced and Asaba Ultra-Modern Mechanic Village, Asaba all these and more are some of the investments attracted by His Excellency Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa through the efforts of DIDA.” Mr. Okolie stated.

Mr. John Emmanuel the Stallion Auto Keke Regional Trainer, Port Harcourt Region said that the Training Programme taking place at Aladja has exposed the trainees to the different brand of the Bajaj Keke.

“Especially we dwelt on the CV Shaft and engine. They were dismantled and reassembled.

” We showed  them the Keke Bajaj, told them about the double shock absorber and showed them how to remove the tyres and put them back.” He said.

He further said that they took them on the electrical aspects of the Keke, stating that it was indeed a wonderful experience for them all.

The SAKL Regional Trainer said that his interaction with the youths in the course of the training exercise had shown that the youths are very happy with the efforts of His Excellency, the Governor.

One of the trainees, Mr. Efenudu David who spoke on the benefits of the training said they learnt a lot on the mechanical and electrical components of the Keke.

He said that the training will assist them to handle all forms of repairs and servicing of the tricycle.

Mr. Efenudu thanked the Delta State Government and the Stallion Auto Keke Ltd for giving them the opportunity to improve themselves.