National Automotive Council (NAC) has approved the sum of  N1 billion as soft loans for automobile technicians in the country to enable them meet up with the latest developments in the repair of modern automobiles.

The automobile technicians operating under the aegis of Nigerian Automotive Technicians Association (NATA) utilised the opportunity offered it by NAC’s empowerment programme which was launched  Thursday in Lagos, to secure the life tonic.

Speaking at the occasion, the Director General of NAC, Mr. Aminu Jalal noted that the “Auto Technicians Support Scheme” is one the council’s many projects which aim at upgrading the skills, equipment and the working environment of mechanics in the Nigeria.

According to him, the scheme is meant to provide funds for automotive technicians to enable them acquire modern tools through Micro finance banks (MFBs) at single-digit interest rate.

“This scheme is aimed at providing loanable funds for automotive technicians for acquisition modern equipment through micro finance banks at single-digit interest rate”

To access the loan, the NAC boss said that mechanics are expected to form cooperative societies and apply through the selected micro finance banks, adding that some of the micro finance banks assessed the fund and have started the procurement of equipment for mechanics who qualified to benefit from the scheme.

He expressed optimism that the programme which aims to retool the mechanics’ workshops will improve their productivity and enable them repair modern vehicles.

The NAC boss further disclosed that a recent study by the council revealed that 80% of the skill deficiencies of the Nigerian auto-technicians hinges on the electrical  and electronic systems of modern vehicles while 20% are incorrect work methods, safety and environment as well as poor workshop management and organisation ability.

The outcome of the study, according the DG prompted the council to design, in collaboration with other stakeholders what it described as an automotive Mechatronics curriculum.